NSW School of Languages logo

NSW School of Languages

NSW School of Languages

Learn locally. Communicate globally.

Telephone02 9381 4800

EmailNSWSchoolLang.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Chinese

Course overview

View or print a Chinese language brochure (PDF 5482KB)

Stage 5 Year 9 & 10

At NSW School of Languages, Years 9 and 10 students are offered the opportunity to undertake the Standard or Background course based on their background. Our dynamic and exciting Chinese courses offer highly engaging learning experiences with effective and innovative activities. Supported by our knowledgeable and passionate teachers, students work through activities on our eLearning platform and are encouraged to develop their communication skills and cultural understanding through engagement with Chinese-speaking communities and Chinese-language media. Our face-to-face lessons each term provide students with an unique opportunity to participate in and learn through a range of vibrant cultural activities including cooking, crafting activities and music. Your unique Chinese-learning journey at NSW School of Languages starts here! 

Stage 6 Year 11 & 12

Chinese Beginners

Students gain a wide exposure to the Chinese language, culture and way of life through a course complemented by e-learning delivery and a rich array of audio, video and visual material. The Preliminary and HSC Chinese Beginners courses are newly written courses that are designed specifically for distance education students. Students submit worksheets weekly on Canvas to be marked by their teacher, and they also have weekly speaking lessons to develop their speaking skills and receive additional feedback and support. Study days are held at the NSW School of Languages or online at various times throughout the year.

Chinese Continuers

Students develop all skills required in the syllabus. The preliminary and HSC Chinese continuers courses are online courses developed by NSW School of Languages with the support of National Asian Language and Studies in School Program funded by the Australian Government. The courses are based on Ni Hao Books 3 and 4, and contain a range of online and offline activities such as quizzes where students can develop their skills and receive immediate feedback. Students also have weekly speaking lessons with their teacher to develop their conversational skills and receive additional feedback and support. Study days are held at the NSW School of Languages or online at various times throughout the year.

Chinese Extension

This course is offered to Year 12 students who have successfully completed the Year 11 Chinese Continuers Preliminary course at a high standard. ​

The Chinese Extension course aims to introduce students to a more advanced level of Chinese language, enabling them to discuss various prescribed issues both in written and oral tasks. Students engage with these issues through the in-depth study of the Prescribed text - a movie called The Young Style. The course program includes weekly speaking lessons with their teacher to develop their skills and receive additional feedback and support. Study days held at the NSW School of Languages or online at various times throughout the year.

Chinese in Context

Students will explore the syllabus issues to develop in depth understanding of these issues and develop their language skills to enable them to express their ideas in a more sophisticated manner in both Chinese and English. The preliminary and HSC Chinese in context courses are blended learning courses with paper based material and online content. The courses contain a range of different activities such as YouTube videos, listening and reading activities. Students also have weekly speaking lessons with their teacher to develop their skills and receive additional feedback and support. Study days are held at the NSW School of Languages or online at various times throughout the year.

Note: Any student enrolling in Chinese at NSW School of Languages has his/her study background checked to determine their course according to the NSW Education Standards Authority criteria. Students in Stage 5 who are clearly going to be studying the Chinese in context or Chinese and Literature courses Stage 6 are given a program of study which prepares them for the Stage 6 Chinese in context or Chinese and Literature courses.

Course materials

Textbooks

The following is a list of course materials which need to be purchased for the specified course. All prices are approximate. If a course is not listed, the materials are provided by NSW School of Languages.

Stage 6 - preliminary courses

Continuers

  • NiHao 3 - 3rd Edition - Intermediate level Student Textbook and Student Workbook

Stage 6 - HSC courses

Continuers

  • NiHao 4 - Advanced level Student Textbook only

Extension

  • The Young Style DVD

Prices (approximate only)

The textbooks are available from:

China Books
Shop F7 Citymark Building,
683 George Street Sydney 2000
Phone 02 9280 1885
chinabooks.com.au

Abbey's Bookshop
131 York St. Sydney 2000
Phone: 02 9267 1397
abbeys.com.au

Amazon 
amazon.com

Dictionaries

All students should have a comprehensive language dictionary. Please consult the Chinese faculty for advice regarding dictionaries.

Syllabuses (from NESA)

Go to the NESA Syllabus downloads page to get more information on any of our courses.