Type of course

The course can be taught in-person or online. At 'timetable & registration' you find an overview of our courses.

In a classroom course, the teacher and all students are present in the classroom. To be able to participate online, you are advised to use a headset with microphone.To check that everything is working properly, please use: Quick Tech Check.

It is not possible to switch between courses once the course has started.

Course description

The course Chinese for beginners is a basic course in language acquisition and requires no prior knowledge of the language. All basic skills are addressed in the course: speaking, listening, writing and reading.  Furthermore, society and culture are also covered. Every lesson includes homework and preparation of approximately three hours in total.

The course is concluded with a written test. Once you pass the test, you will receive a certificate. A certificate is awarded if the test is completed successfully and the participant has attended 80% of the lessons.

Course material

• Contemporary Chinese 1 Textbook. Sinolingua. ISBN 9787513806176. Chapter 1-8
• Contemporary Chinese 1 Characterbook. Sinolingue. ISBN 9787513806190.
• Contemporary Chinese 1. Sinolingua. ISBN 9787513806183.

The course material is not included in the course price. Course participants are required to purchase the course materials  themselves in advance. 

Target group and admission requirements

The course is intended for adults with a higher education diploma, including both students and staff members of Leiden University, as well as interested parties who have no connection to Leiden University.

The course is open to any person aged 17 or older with a completed secondary school education. There are no entry requirements with respect to knowledge of Chinese. A basic knowledge of English is required.

Other information

• The maximum number of participants for an online course is 16 and for a classroom course is 18.
• The course load is 56 hours. On request a Course load declaration form can be issued. The student should enquire with their department whether course participation can be converted into credits.
• The holiday periods can be found in the Academic Language Centre's academic calendar.
• If classes are cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, they will be added on to the end of the course. Please take into account courses may end later than scheduled.
• The course level is indicated with the help of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.