Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CHIN 180 D100

Intensive Mandarin Chinese for Beginners I (3)

Class Number: 5413

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Oct 19, 2025: Tue, Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An intensive introductory course for non-heritage students. Students are expected to master Mandarin Chinese pronunciation and acquaintance with simplified Chinese characters. Basic grammar, everyday conversation topics and Chinese communication style are introduced. Students with credit for CHIN 100 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is the first in a series of intensive Mandarin Chinese courses designed for beginner learners. It aims to build foundational speaking and writing skills through the study of Chinese phonetics, essential vocabulary, basic grammar, and key cultural concepts.
 
Students will build proficiency in Mandarin pronunciation, accquire basic sentence patterns, and learn to write Chinese characters. They will develop the ability to communicate in common, everyday scenarios in Mandarin Chinese. 

The class meets for 4 hours per week over six weeks, followed by a final examination in Week 7. Attendance at the in-person tutorials is a requirement of the course. Tutorials begin in the first week of classes.

Students should contact the instructor for a placement process before registering: cxie@sfu.ca

Grading

  • Attendance and active participation 10%
  • Assignments 30%
  • Lesson quizzes 20%
  • Oral Test 15%
  • Final exam 25%

REQUIREMENTS:

No prerequisites. CHIN 180 is an intensive introductory course for learners with no background or prior experience in Mandarin Chinese. 

Students should contact the instructor for a placement process before registering: cxie@sfu.ca

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Jiang, L. HSK Standard Course I (Beijing Language and Culture University Press)
Jiang, L. HSK Standard Course Workbook I (Beijing Language and Culture University Press)

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.