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Accessibility statement
Qualification dates
StartEnd
03 Oct 2026Jun 2027
This module develops your Mandarin Chinese to an intermediate level, guiding you from B1 towards B2 on the CEFR scale (roughly equivalent to HSK Level 3, approaching Level 4). You'll build confidence in listening, reading, writing and speaking while exploring the cultures and daily lives of Chinese-speaking countries. Your learning is supported by an assigned tutor and through online study materials including audio, video and authentic resources, giving you opportunities for independent study and collaboration with fellow learners. By the end, you'll have strengthened your language abilities and gained skills in intercultural communication, academic study, digital practice and critical thinking.
Over six thematic units, you’ll learn about the concepts, skills and strategies required to learn Chinese successfully.
The study materials are carefully structured and graded, and provide ample opportunities to practise the language in realistic contexts.
This is an OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning.
You do not need a formal qualification in the language, but you should have a working knowledge of Chinese at A1+ level, approaching A2, according to the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You may have acquired your knowledge through adult education classes, time spent in Chinese-speaking countries or regions, regular contact with Chinese-speaking people, or other sources. You should be able to understand basic written and spoken materials, know how to type Chinese characters, and hold a basic conversation in Chinese in everyday situations, such as discussing yourself, your family, and your hometown, asking for prices when shopping, or requesting directions.
Ideally, you will have successfully completed Beginners’ Chinese (L108 or its previous version L197) or have reached a similar standard before registering for this module.
To help decide if you have sufficient Chinese to take this module with confidence, try our self-assessment quiz. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Before the module begins, we recommend continuing to practise your Chinese in any way possible. You can do this by reading Chinese newspapers, using online resources, or watching films in Chinese. Any activity that helps you maintain your language skills will be beneficial. Once you have registered on the module, preparatory materials to revise the content from the previous module, Beginners’ Chinese (L108), will be available to you.
If you have studied the previous module, Beginners’ Chinese (L108), you can revisit some of the activities and access the audio materials. If you haven't completed this module, you can practise using free online resources from OpenLearn, such as Beginners’ Chinese: a taster course and Getting Started with Chinese 3.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make tutorial recordings available.
We may also run weekend online drop-in speaking practice sessions with a student teacher, as well as a Day School to coincide with the Chinese New Year celebrations, subject to operational capacity.
Course work includes:
TMAs test your writing and speaking skills, while your listening/reading skills, cultural knowledge and study skills are assessed through computer-marked assignments (CMAs).
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying L118 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Intermediate Chinese (L118) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2039.
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