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Mandarin Chinese, the national language of China, is spoken by approximately one-fourth of the world’s population. It is a language rich in cultural tradition. It is a member of the Sino-Tibetan language family and is quite different from the Indo-European languages. Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, and its script is as ancient as it is revealing. These differences challenge the language learner in a unique way. At Washington Academy of Languages, our goal is to enable the student both to meet this challenge and to be able to communicate effectively in Chinese.
Schedule
Registration DeadlineSat, Sept 26
Confirmation/Cancellation Emails SentMon, Sept 28
Minimum to Run4 students
WithdrawalPlease email wal@cityu.edu
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| Class | Instructor | Days | Time | Start date | End date | Scheduling Notes | Classroom | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese 1 | Chia-Hui Wen | Sat | 10:00AM – 12:05PM | 10/10/26 | 12/12/26 | No class 11/28 | Zoom | $425 |
| Beginning Chinese Conversation IV | Chien Tsai | Mon | 6:30 – 8:20PM | 10/5/26 | 12/7/26 | Zoom | $425 |
Levels
Cantonese 1
Cantonese 1 is a 10-week introductory course on Cantonese, a topolect spoken predominantly by Hong Kong and Guangdong residents.Required Material:
- Dana Scott Bourgerie, Keith S.T. Tong, and Gregory James. Colloquial Cantonese. New York: Routledge, 2010.
Cantonese 2
Cantonese 2 is a 10-week introductory course on Cantonese, a topolect spoken predominantly by Hong Kong and Guangdong residents. The class covers chapters 5 to 8 in Colloquial Cantonese.Required Material:
- Dana Scott Bourgerie, Keith S.T. Tong, and Gregory James. Colloquial Cantonese. New York: Routledge, 2010.
Chinese 1
The Chinese – Novice Low 1 course (a.k.a. Chinese 1) is a 10-week introductory course on the language and culture of Chinese-speaking countries. It covers chapters 1 to 5 in HSK 1.Required Materials (Chinese 1–3):
- Liping Jiang. HSK Standard Course 1 Textbook. ISBN: 9787561937099
Chinese 1–3
Chinese 1–3 covers material from Chinese 1, Chinese 2, and Chinese 3 in 10 weeks. It’s a fast-track, refresher course ideal for someone who has had previous training, formal or informal, in contemporary Mandarin. Emphasis is placed on listening and speaking, with grammar reviews as needed.Required Materials (Chinese 1–3):
- Liping Jiang. HSK Standard Course 1 Textbook. ISBN: 9787561937099
Chinese 4
Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 3 or instructor’s permission.The Chinese – Novice Mid 2 course (a.k.a. Chinese 4) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Chinese-speaking countries. It covers chapters 1 to 5 in HSK 2.Required Materials (Chinese 4–6):
- Liping Jiang. HSK Standard Course 2 Textbook. ISBN: 9787561937266
Chinese 5
Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 4 or instructor’s permission.The Chinese – Novice Mid 3 course (a.k.a. Chinese 5) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Chinese-speaking countries. It covers chapters 6 to 10 in HSK 2.Required Materials (Chinese 4–6):
- Liping Jiang. HSK Standard Course 2 Textbook. ISBN: 9787561937266
Chinese 6
Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 5 or instructor’s permission.The Chinese – Novice Mid 4 course (a.k.a. Chinese 6) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Chinese-speaking countries. It covers chapters 11 to 15 in HSK 2.Required Materials (Chinese 4–6):
- Liping Jiang. HSK Standard Course 2 Textbook. ISBN: 9787561937266
Chinese Intermediate Conversation
This class is designed for students who have finished Chinese Level 6 at CityU (or the equivalent elsewhere, or with the instructor’s permission) to further proficiency in listening comprehension and oral communication. In this full-immersion class we review grammar points previously covered in Integrated Chinese, expand the existing vocabulary base, and fine-tune communication skills.Required Materials:Spring, Madeline K. Making Connections: Enhance Your Listening Comprehension in Chinese. 2nd Edition. Boston: Cheng & Tsui, 2012. ISBN 9780887276651 (traditional character edition), 9780887277672 (simplified character edition)
Program Options
Custom Program
WAL can design a special language program for you or your group, planned around your needs and objectives. Custom Programs are contracted in 10-hour blocks; meetings must run at least an hour and a half, once a week or more.
Corporate Programs
Our experienced instructors bring a tailored, industry-specific approach to your office. Programs require a minimum of 10 hours total, 1.5 hours per lesson, generally on weekdays, at your site or ours.
Tuition
| Class Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Evening & Day Classes | $425 |
| Custom Programs | $750 / 10 hours |
| Shared Custom Programs | $5o0 / 10 hours per person (2–3 students) |
| Specialized Programs | $750 / 10 hours |