View or print a Chinese language brochure (PDF 13 MB)

Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10)

The stage 5 course (Years 9 and 10) caters for all proficiency levels, including Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Eligibility rules apply for students continuing to the Stage 6 Continuers or in Context courses.

Chinese 200-hour course (2-year course delivered over Years 9 & 10)

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 Canvas 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 a 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!

Chinese 100-hour course (1 year course for Year 10 students)

The 100-hour course is for Year 10 students who have not previously studied Chinese. Students who complete the 100-hour course, remain eligible for the Stage 6 Beginners course, dependant on meeting other criteria. This course is excellent preparation for the Stage 6 Beginners course.

Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12)

Chinese Beginners

This course is designed for students with very little or no knowledge of Chinese. In this course, students gain a wide exposure to the Chinese language, culture and way of life through a program complemented by e-learning delivery and a rich array of audio, video, and visual material. The Preliminary and HSC Chinese Beginners courses are designed specifically for distance education students; hence, the courses are set for self-directed study. Students are expected to submit work regularly, which includes handwritten submissions, interactive online tasks, and speaking lessons via online conferencing tools and/or telephone. Once a term face-to-face lesson days are also organised for students to meet and interact with their peers, held at NSL or online at various times throughout the year.

Chinese Continuers

The Preliminary and HSC Chinese Continuers' courses are designed for students with more than 200 hours of prior learning to further advance their Chinese language skills. These courses are specifically designed for distance education students; hence, they are set for self-directed study. Students are expected to submit work regularly, which includes handwritten submissions, interactive online tasks, and speaking lessons via online conferencing tools and/or telephone. Once a term face-to-face lesson days are also organised for students to meet and interact with their peers, held at NSL or online at various times throughout the year.

Chinese in Context

Stage 6 Chinese in Context learners are students who have been brought up using the Chinese language outside the classroom, and who have a connection to Chinese culture. Learning in the Chinese in Context courses will enable students to strengthen their personal connections to their heritage and will enhance the development of their bilingual and bicultural identities.

The Stage 6 course provides students with the opportunity to develop their communication skills, knowledge, and understanding of Chinese language, culture, and identity through six prescribed Modules and related texts. Students engage in a Personal Investigation module in Year 12, which allows them to explore an area of interest related to one of the issues.

The courses are available via Canvas, with a variety of stimuli to explore the study of the issues. There are weekly speaking lessons with their teacher to develop their understanding and receive feedback and support. Once a term face-to-face lesson days are held at NSL at various times throughout the year, providing students with first-hand experiences of Chinese culture and language learning activities.

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. Once a term face-to-face lesson days are held at NSL or online at various times throughout the year.

Further information on the Chinese Extension course is available for viewing on the NSL YouTube channel.

Course materials

The following is a list of course materials which need to be purchased for the specified course. If a course is not listed, all learning materials are provided by NSL via Canvas.

Chinese Extension

• The Young Style (Film)

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 for more information on the syllabus.