2026/27 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LANG1031 Cantonese for Mandarin speakers 2 (B1-B2)

10 Credits Class Size: 60

Module manager: Xiujing Liang
Email: X.Liang@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

Pre-requisite qualifications

Native or near-native fluency in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese. Students whose native language is not Mandarin Chinese must consult with the module leader to assess their suitability for this module. The module is for people who have good basic knowledge of Cantonese. If you already have CEFR B1 or above then this module is not for you. It is not possible to take this module if you are enrolled on a single or joint honours degree programme in Chinese. For information about the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) see https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale).

Pre-requisites

LANG1030 Cantonese for Mandarin speakers 1 (A1-A2)

Module replaces

EAST2192

This module is approved as a discovery module

This module is approved as a skills discovery module

Module summary

This module is designed for fluent Chinese speakers who want to build on the Cantonese learned in EAST2182 Cantonese for Mandarin Speakers 1 (A1-A2). Cantonese is spoken by millions of people in Hong Kong, Macau, China (Guangdong Province) and diaspora communities around the world. The module starts at B1 level and progresses to B2 level of the CEFR. If this module runs in both semesters, you can take it in either semester 1 or semester 2 but not both. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.

Objectives

Through this module you study the Cantonese language needed to conduct more sophisticated conversations about topics in business, current affairs and social or political issues. You will become more comfortable with the sounds of the language, understanding varied accents, and gaining fluency. You will learn vocabulary and grammatical structures allowing you to, for example, engage in technical or abstract discussions, communicate different perspectives, and recognise and use different levels of politeness.

Through the Cantonese you hear in class you will become familiar with classroom language. Class activities include group discussion, debate and role-play using materials from television, film and news bulletins.

You are expected to self study between classes as well as preparing for the assessment. You are encouraged to make use of resources through the Language Zone (https://students.leeds.ac.uk/languagezone), use digital resources, and engage in other opportunities to put language skills into practice outside the taught sessions.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Use spoken Cantonese to communicate about topics in business, current affairs and social or political issues with sufficient clarity and fluency to be easily understood by a proficient Cantonese user
2. Listen and respond appropriately to Cantonese news bulletins, videos and films, using Cantonese vocabulary and grammatical structures to communicate different perspectives on a complex topic
3. Identify and persevere with opportunities by adopting appropriate learning strategies

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Practicals 10 2 20
Private study hours 80
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 100

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback in class on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Feedback on aural (listening) tests.

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Practical Exam / OSCE 0.0 Hrs 20 Mins 100
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 11/05/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team