Mandarin

Introduction

Welcome to AS and A Level Chinese Language. Please find below information and some useful links about the course and its content. 

Year 12 (AS Level)

In Year 12, you will work towards two examination papers:

• Paper 2: Reading and Writing

• Paper 3: Essay

If you opt to take the AS Level only then Paper 2 is worth 70% of your final mark, and Paper 3 is worth 30%.

However, if you take the full A Level over Y12 and Y13 then Paper 2 is worth 39% of your final mark and Paper 3 is worth 22%.

Throughout Year 12, students will consider a range of different text types written in Mandarin in order to investigate how writer's communicate meaning and effects through their use of language and structure devices. Studying texts in this way helps prepare the students for Paper 2, but also helps them prepare for Paper 3 as it helps further the students' ideas about the content and style of their own writing. 

This involves:

• answering specific and general comprehension questions based on passages

• writing summaries of issues raised in a text

• Vocabulary recognition

• Grammatical manipulation

• Extended writing for different purposes and audiences

• Engaging with the five set topics set for examination in 2022. These topics are: young people, the media, equality of opportunity, free time activities and, scientific and medical advances.

All questions and answers must be in the target language.

Year 13 (A- Level)

In year 13, students work towards Paper 4 only. This paper requires students to study three texts in order to answer three questions in total when sitting the exam. One from Section 1, one from Section 2 and one other question from either Section 1 or Section 2.

The exam consists of two sections.

In section 1, students are given a choice of two questions for each text. For each text in this section there will be an extended passage taken from the text followed by either a single question or a number of short questions. This will not be a context passage (the location of the passage is given) but a stimulus to allow students to bring a focus to their answer. Students are asked to comment on particular aspects of the passage and/or to indicate how the passage reflects the book as a whole.

In section 2, there is a choice of two questions (for each text) focusing on issues central to the text. Students are expected to display detailed knowledge of the text and to show some awareness of how the author conveys the message of the work.

The set texts are listed on page 15 of the 2023 Syllabus that can be found below. The texts that the class will study will be decided at the end of our Year 12 studies. 

Why study Mandarin?

• Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world

• Being able to speak Chinese opens up an infinite array of economic and career opportunities

• The Chinese language is a gateway into an amazingly rich and vibrant culture

• Proficiency in Chinese opens up a wide range of travel opportunities

• Learning a new language enriches one’s self, develops brain function and strengthens our knowledge and understandings of other people

Further Information

Cambridge AS and A level Chinese Mandarin Syllabus 2020 - 2022

www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/420666-2020-2022-syllabus.pdf

Cambridge AS and A level Chinese Mandarin Syllabus 2023

www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/597353-2023-syllabus.pdf