Welcome to your HSC Chinese Beginners study guide! The HSC Chinese Beginners course is designed for students with little to no prior experience in Chinese (0–100 hours of study). It focuses on building basic communication skills, introducing everyday language, and developing an understanding of simple sentence structures and Chinese culture. This guide will help you navigate the course, understand the exam requirements, and provide practical study strategies to support your success.
Understanding Your Course
Who Is This For?
This course is ideal for students who are new to Chinese or have had limited exposure to the language. If you’ve had no more than 100 hours of prior study, this course is right for you.
Focus Areas
Practical Communication: Discuss everyday topics like family, hobbies, travel, and school.
Core Skills: Develop listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities.
Cultural Awareness: Explore traditions, festivals, and social norms.
Exam Breakdown
The HSC Chinese Beginners exam assesses four key skills:
Skill | Marks | Key Details |
Speaking | 20 | • 5-minute unrehearsed oral conversation • Assesses fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation |
Writing | 20 | • Part A: 2 short-answer questions (≈150 characters total) • Part B: 1 extended-response tasks (≈150 characters) |
Listening | 30 | • 40-minute section with spoken texts (e.g. announcements, dialogues, news items) • Questions relate to prescribed themes and topics |
Reading | 30 | • Read approx. 5 texts (≈ 800 characters total) • Assesses ability to analyse and respond to written texts |
Study Strategies
1. Vocabulary & Grammar
Flashcards: Focus on HSC-prescribed vocabulary (e.g., 家人 jiārén – family; 学校 xuéxiào – school).
Grammar Drills: Practise using essential particles, such as:
的 (de) for possession: 我的妈妈 (wǒ de māma – my mum).
了 (le) for completed actions: 我去了公园 (wǒ qùle gōngyuán – I went to the park).
2. Speaking Practice
Daily Practice: Record answers to questions like 你周末做什么？(Nǐ zhōumò zuò shénme? – What do you do on weekends?).
Downloadable Resource: Use our sample speaking questions by topic to practise a wide range of questions and review model responses.
3. Writing Practice
Sentence Building: Use verbs like 有 (yǒu – have), 喜欢 (xǐhuān – like), and 去 (qù – go).
Example: 我家有四口人。(Wǒ jiā yǒu sì kǒu rén – My family has four people.)
4. Listening & Reading Practice
Engage Authentically: Watch children’s programmes like Peppa Pig in Mandarin with subtitles to improve your listening skills and familiarise you with everyday language.
Prescribed Characters for HSC Chinese Beginners
You will need to learn a set of characters for active use in the exam. Below is a selection from the Revised Chinese Beginners Stage 6 Syllabus.
Character | Pinyin | English | Example |
爱 | ài | love | 我爱中国 (Wǒ ài Zhōngguó – I love China). |
打 | dǎ | hit/play/call | 我给爸爸打电话。 (Wǒ gěi bàba dǎ diànhuà – I call my dad). |
常 | cháng | often | 我常去公园。(Wǒ cháng qù gōngyuán – I often go to the park.) |
人 | rén | person | 我是中国人。(Wǒ shì Zhōngguó rén – I am Chinese.) |
好 | hǎo | good | 你好吗？(Nǐ hǎo ma? – How are you?) |
学 | xué | study | 我在学校学习。(Wǒ zài xuéxiào xuéxí – I study at school.) |
天 | tiān | day/sky | 今天天气很好。(Jīntiān tiānqì hěn hǎo – Today’s weather is nice.) |
小 | xiǎo | small | 我有一只小狗。(Wǒ yǒu yì zh xiǎo gǒu – I have a small dog.) |
中 | zhōng | middle | 我会说中文。 (Wǒ huì shuō zhōngwén – I can speak Chinese.) |
国 | guó | country | 你是哪国人？(nǐ shì nǎ guó rén – What’ your nationality?) |
(Full list available in the downloadable resource.)
Oral Exam Preparation
The oral exam is a crucial part of your HSC Chinese Beginners course. Here’s what you need to know:
When: The oral exam is held in August or September on a Saturday.
Format: A 5-minute unrehearsed conversation with an examiner (not your teacher).
Assessment Criteria: Fluency, vocabulary range, grammar accuracy, and pronunciation.
Tips:
Practise speaking Chinese daily.
Record yourself and review the recordings to improve your pronunciation and sentence structure.
Use the downloadable sample speaking questions by topic to familiarise yourself with common questions.
Learn how to ask for clarification in Chinese, for example, 请再说一遍 (qǐng zàishuō yībiàn – Please say it again).
Written Exam Preparation
The writing section is worth 20 marks and is divided into two parts:
Part A: 2 short-answer questions (≈150 characters total).
Part B: Choose between 2 extended-response tasks (≈150 characters).
Tips for Success:
Use dictionaries to check characters when needed.
Practise writing short paragraphs on familiar topics hobbies or family.
Focus on logical sequencing, accurate grammar, and appropriate vocabulary.
Final Tips
Consistency: Dedicate 20-30 minutes daily to vocabulary, grammar, and speaking.
Use Resources: Download our sample speaking questions and character list for targeted practice.
Engage with Culture: Explore Mandarin TV shows, music, or podcasts to build familiarity.
Downloadable Resource
For additional support, we offer a free document of sample speaking questions by topic. This resource includes a wide range of questions grouped by syllabus topics, model responses to guide your practice, and tips for expanding your answers and improving fluency. Download it from our website and integrate it into your study routine.
How to get your FREE Sample Speaking Questions?
Simply click the button below to access your FREE download! 🤗
By following this study guide and applying the strategies outlined above, you will be well-prepared for your HSC Chinese Beginners exam. Consistent practise, engagement with authentic materials, and the use of our downloadable sample speaking questions will build your confidence and enhance your performance.
Good luck with your studies! 加油！(Jiāyóu!)
Bibliography
NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority). (2017). Chinese Beginners Stage 6 Syllabus. Retrieved from: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/stage-6-learning-areas/stage-6-languages/chinese-beginners-2017
Lightbown, P. M., & Spada, N. (2021). How Languages are Learned (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.(For foundational strategies on vocabulary acquisition and grammar practice.)
NSW Department of Education. (2022). HSC Languages Oral Exam Guidelines. Retrieved from:https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/languages/languages-curriculum-resources-k-12/languages-curriculum-resources-11-12
At YEAH CHINESE, we’re dedicated to helping you bring dynamic, interactive, and effective language lessons to your classroom. Want more creative ideas, resources, and community support? Subscribe to our newsletter today to join a growing community of language teachers and get access to even more tools, tips, and activities designed to make learning exciting for your students. ❤️
Comentários