Overview
The Confucius Institute at QUT (CIQ) offers a range of engaging short courses to promote Modern Chinese (Mandarin) learning, as well as a better understanding of Chinese people and their culture.
The small classes are exciting and innovative, with well-qualified teachers experienced in teaching Chinese language and culture to English speakers.
Who should participate?
Enrolment is open to all people over the age of 18. We welcome Chinese language learners of all levels – if you have studied Chinese language before we encourage you to attend our Course Information Evening to meet with our teachers to determine the best course level for you.
Your expert facilitators from The Confucius Institute
Our team of Chinese language teachers are well qualified, experienced in teaching Chinese as an additional language, and communicating the appropriate Chinese cultural context. All of our teachers are native Chinese, with up to date contemporary Chinese knowledge.
Core concepts
The courses will cover the four macro skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Level 1 assumes no prior knowledge of Chinese.
Modern Chinese Courses Levels 1 to 3
Pronunciation: master the pinyin system, proper pronunciation and tones.
Vocabulary: cover simple conversation topics including greetings, food, travel and business necessities.
Grammar: use basic sentence structures and follow simple grammar rules.
Reading: understand important characters, read basic sentences and paragraphs.
Writing: Write simple, commonly used characters.
Modern Chinese Courses Levels 4 to 6
Vocabulary: develop further conversational vocabulary related to topics including personal life, travel and business.
Grammar: understand and follow common rules including modal verbs and prepositions, comparative structures, progressive aspect, and particle and negative sentences.
Reading: understand important and commonly used characters, read simple sentences and paragraphs.
Writing: use common Chinese characters to write simple messages.
Modern Chinese Course Levels 7 to 9
Vocabulary: recognise and use common Chinese words and phrases related to personal life, news and current events, media, personal opinions and business in the appropriate context.
Grammar: use correct grammar in text and speech.
Reading: understand contemporary Chinese language media.
Writing: express yourself clearly, personally and professionally.
Details
Where and when
Each term consists of one two-hour class per week, over 10 weeks. Classes run 6pm to 8pm
Term 3, 2021
Registrations for Term 3 are now open
| Level | Location | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Gardens Point | Thursdays 16/09-18/11 | Open |
| Kelvin Grove | Wednesdays 15/09-17/11 | Open | |
| Online | Tuesday 14/09-16/11 | Open | |
| Level 2 | Gardens Point | Tuesday 14/09-16/11 | Open |
| Online | Wednesdays 15/09-17/11 | Open | |
| Level 3 | Gardens Point | Wednesdays 15/09-17/11 | Open |
| Online | Mondays 13/09-22/11 (no class on public holiday 4/10) | Open | |
| Level 4 | Gardens Point | Mondays 13/09-22/11 (no class on public holiday 4/10) | Open |
| Online | Tuesday 14/09-16/11 | Open | |
| Level 5 | Kelvin Grove | Thursdays 16/09-18/11 | Open |
| Level 5 | Online | Wednesdays 15/09-17/11 | Open |
| Level 6 | Kelvin Grove | Tuesday 14/09-16/11 | Open |
| Level 7 | Online | Tuesday 14/09-16/11 | Open |
| Level 8 | Online | Mondays 13/09-22/11 (no class on public holiday 4/10) | Open |
| Level 9 | Online | Wednesdays 15/09-17/11 | Open |
If you are unsure of what level to register for, you can come along to our free information session on Monday 30 August 2021. Please click the enrol now button and select the Information Night ticket. Please complete your contact details at the bottom of the registration page and click through to the "Thank you" page in order for your details to be submitted. You can also select and pay for a level while also selecting the Information Night ticket.
Certification
Attendance Certificate provided for students who attend 7 of ten classes.
Cost
| Registration type | Registration closes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Early bird | Sunday 29 August 2021 | $420 (GST included) |
| Standard | Sunday 5 September 2021 | $470 (GST included) |
| QUT Alumni / QUT Staff | Sunday 5 September 2021 | $352.50 (GST included) |
Discounts are non-cumulative.
We won't accept registrations once course registrations have closed.
Fees include textbooks.
More details
For general questions and course information, our staff are available to help at confucius.institute@qut.edu.au
Prior knowledge
| Level | Prior knowledge |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | No prior knowledge, or very little background knowledge of Chinese language |
| Level 2 | Level 1, or the equivalent of 20 hours Chinese language study |
| Level 3 | Level 2, or the equivalent of 40 hours Chinese language study |
| Level 4 | Level 3, or the equivalent of 60 hours Chinese language study |
| Level 5 | Level 4, or the equivalent of 80 hours Chinese language study |
| Level 6 | Level 5, or the equivalent of 100 hours Chinese language study |
| Level 7 | Level 6, or the equivalent of 120 hours Chinese language study |
| Level 8 | Level 7, or the equivalent of 140 hours Chinese language study |
| Level 9 | Level 8, or the equivalent of 160 hours Chinese language study |
Existing Students
Students who have completed Chinese Language Courses with the CIQ prior to 2020, please see the below table for the recommended level for you to move onto next. If you are still unsure which level to move onto next please register for the information session via the Enrol Now button.
| Previous Level completed | New Level to move onto |
|---|---|
| Introductory Level I | Level 2 |
| Introductory Level II or III | Level 3 |
| Introductory Level IV or Intermediate Level I | Level 4 |
| Intermediate Level II or Advanced Level I | Level 5 |