Chinese (Mandarin) A-Level (Edexcel) China is a vast country with diverse culture and very long history. China is full of rich literature and philosophies. China has become the second largest economy in the world and plays a critical role in shaping the globe in the 21st century. Therefore, it is important to help young people in the UK to develop better understanding of the history, the culture, and the society of China and Chinese speaking regions. The acquisition of highly competent Chinese language skills can facilitate the process of communication and cooperation with Chinese speaking regions, companies and individuals. A-Level Mandarin is a two-year course. It enables students to acquire the advanced language skills to operate in a Chinese environment. Students are encouraged not only to develop the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, but also to conduct extensive research on Chinese history and culture. The course provides plenty of opportunities for students to develop higher order thinking skills. Course Overview Theme 1 Changes in Contemporary Chinese society • Part 1 Family, including family structure; multi generation household; new patterns of family relationships, the generation gap; conflicts in the family; attitudes of young people in the family, family planning; attitude change towards relationship and marriage, China’s ageing population; responsibility to care the elderly • Part 2 education and the world of work, including school life and student issues; education systems and types of school, education and training; further and higher education provision, public examinations and exam preparation and pressure, preparation for work and job opportunities; career plans; qualifications and job routines, work related problems such as unemployment, demise of traditional industries, maintain a good work-life balance; value of leisure; modern tourism Theme 2 Chinese Culture • traditions and customs; the importance of maintaining traditions and customs; the world of the creative industries: music, art, drama and their social impact; the impact of social network in pop culture and work culture Theme 3 Evolving Chinese Society • social issues related to economic activities and urbanisation; communications and the use of the technology in everyday life; the evolve of the economic policies and its impact; environmental protection; green energy; new industries Theme 4 post-1978 China on the World Stage • key political figures in the last fifty years; China’s urban and rural life; China’s relationships with UK and the West; China’s role in easing the global environmental problem Literature study (Required): • A Very Special Pigeon – Cao Wenxuan《一只叫凤的鸽子》（作者 曹文轩), 2014 (short story) • My Memories of Old Beijing – Lin Haiyin《城南旧事》〈惠安馆〉，〈爸爸的花儿落了〉（作者 林海音), 1960 (autobiographical novel) • Film study (optional): 《请投我⼀票》, 2007 (https://youtu.be/KD1QSX2hOnk) Assessment Model • Paper 1 (40%): Listening, reading and translation (2 hours) • Paper 2 (30%): Written response to works and translation (2 hours and 40 minutes) • Paper 3 (30%): Speaking (23 minutes including 5 minutes’ preparation time) o Task 1 discussion on a theme which is prescribed by the exam board o Task 2 Part 1 independent research presentation; Part 2 discussion on independent research
About Education Provider
| Region | West Midlands |
| Local Authority | Walsall |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| Address | Upper Forster Street, Walsall, WS4 2AE |
Chinese (Mandarin) A-Level (Edexcel) China is a vast country with diverse culture and very long history. China is full of rich literature and philosophies. China has become the second largest economy in the world and plays a critical role in shaping the globe in the 21st century. Therefore, it is important to help young people in the UK to develop better understanding of the history, the culture, and the society of China and Chinese speaking regions. The acquisition of highly competent Chinese language skills can facilitate the process of communication and cooperation with Chinese speaking regions, companies and individuals. A-Level Mandarin is a two-year course. It enables students to acquire the advanced language skills to operate in a Chinese environment. Students are encouraged not only to develop the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, but also to conduct extensive research on Chinese history and culture. The course provides plenty of opportunities for students to develop higher order thinking skills. Course Overview Theme 1 Changes in Contemporary Chinese society • Part 1 Family, including family structure; multi generation household; new patterns of family relationships, the generation gap; conflicts in the family; attitudes of young people in the family, family planning; attitude change towards relationship and marriage, China’s ageing population; responsibility to care the elderly • Part 2 education and the world of work, including school life and student issues; education systems and types of school, education and training; further and higher education provision, public examinations and exam preparation and pressure, preparation for work and job opportunities; career plans; qualifications and job routines, work related problems such as unemployment, demise of traditional industries, maintain a good work-life balance; value of leisure; modern tourism Theme 2 Chinese Culture • traditions and customs; the importance of maintaining traditions and customs; the world of the creative industries: music, art, drama and their social impact; the impact of social network in pop culture and work culture Theme 3 Evolving Chinese Society • social issues related to economic activities and urbanisation; communications and the use of the technology in everyday life; the evolve of the economic policies and its impact; environmental protection; green energy; new industries Theme 4 post-1978 China on the World Stage • key political figures in the last fifty years; China’s urban and rural life; China’s relationships with UK and the West; China’s role in easing the global environmental problem Literature study (Required): • A Very Special Pigeon – Cao Wenxuan《一只叫凤的鸽子》（作者 曹文轩), 2014 (short story) • My Memories of Old Beijing – Lin Haiyin《城南旧事》〈惠安馆〉，〈爸爸的花儿落了〉（作者 林海音), 1960 (autobiographical novel) • Film study (optional): 《请投我⼀票》, 2007 (https://youtu.be/KD1QSX2hOnk) Assessment Model • Paper 1 (40%): Listening, reading and translation (2 hours) • Paper 2 (30%): Written response to works and translation (2 hours and 40 minutes) • Paper 3 (30%): Speaking (23 minutes including 5 minutes’ preparation time) o Task 1 discussion on a theme which is prescribed by the exam board o Task 2 Part 1 independent research presentation; Part 2 discussion on independent research
