Chinese Language 1A

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Key facts

UNE unit code: CHIN101

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start

Trimester 1 - On Campus
Trimester 1 - Online

Campus

Armidale Campus

24/7 online support

Intensive schools

Supervised exam

Credit points

UNE student studies on a laptop on her lounge at home

Across the world, more than 1.4 billion people communicate in Mandarin every day. To future proof your career in a global market, knowledge of this language will hold you in good stead.

This unit is designed to provide an introduction to Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin), and how to study this important and fascinatingly distinctive language.

From the start you will learn to participate in simple conversations in Chinese. Initially the focus is on pronouncing the sounds and tones of Mandarin accurately, and noting them using the ‘pinyin’ phonetic script. Then you will enter the world of Chinese characters, discovering how they represent meanings, and learning the correct way to write them.

The simple principles of word order at the basis of Chinese grammar will be explained and practised. Through learning the language you will discover various significant aspects of Chinese life and culture.

Offerings

Teaching period	Mode/location
Trimester 1	On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1	Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Restrictions

CHIN100

Notes

Students with substantial knowledge of Chinese, equivalent to HSC Chinese Continuers level, should enrol at 200 level.

Students with existing competence in Chinese (including HSC Chinese Beginners) who are unsure of their current level of competence should take a placement test.

First language (Chinese) speakers may not enrol in Chinese language units except when required for (school) teaching accreditation in Australian states and territories.

Students may be able to obtain credit for their prior knowledge of the language under the University Admission, Credit and Enrolment Guidelines.

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Xiaoliang Zhao

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

participate in simple conversations at an introductory level of Chinese (Mandarin) on topics relating to self, family and study;
recognise and produce the sounds and tones of Modern Standard Chinese with some accuracy;
use the pinyin system of romanisation with some accuracy;
demonstrate knowledge of and apply the principles of the Chinese character writing system;
recognise and write by hand approximately 120 basic Chinese characters and recognise a further 130 Chinese words and phrases, in context; and
demonstrate some accuracy in the use of fundamental word order principles, vocabulary, and cultural knowledge, at the most basic level of Chinese proficiency.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Title	Must Complete	Weight	Offerings	Assessment Notes
Final Online Quiz	Yes	25%	All offerings	No. Words: 1125 (equivalent)
Online Assessment	Yes	15%	All offerings	Online participation and weekly self-assessed language exercises No. Words: 675 (equivalent)
Oral Assessment 1	Yes	15%	All offerings	Speaking and pronunciation tasks, to be completed face-to-face with unit staff in person at UNE, or via an online platform. No. Words: 675 (equivalent)
Oral Assessment 2	Yes	15%	All offerings	Speaking and pronunciation tasks, to be completed face-to-face with unit staff in person at UNE, or via an online platform. No. Words: 675 (equivalent)
Written Language Assessment	Yes	30%	All offerings	Handwritten language assignment No. Words: 1350 (equivalent)

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.