Chinese Language Skills
Seneca College Certificate
More Information
Overview
Learn to speak, write, and read fluently in Chinese. Our comprehensive Chinese certificate program focuses on a range of areas relating to verbal and written communication -- including vocabulary, sentence structure, and pronunciation -- making it ideal for those who wish to build their proficiency in both simplified and traditional Chinese and refine their conversational skills. Students will also explore Chinese culture and have the opportunity to partake in interactive, practical lessons designed to help advance their personal and professional development.
Students with a prior knowledge of Chinese are required to take a placement test.
Note: Upon successful completion of five successive levels and a conversation class, students will be eligible for a Seneca College Certificate in Chinese Language Skills. Students assessed beyond beginner level must complete a minimum of 2 Chinese courses at Seneca in order to qualify. Students may not use Chinese as a course credit towards a diploma or certificate if Chinese is her/his first language. Seneca College reserves the right to remove students from courses if the student possesses Chinese language abilities above the level of enrolment.
Information Session
New students are invited to attend an information session.
Students with a prior knowledge of Chinese must register in LGE001. The Program Assistant will contact the students via email to arrange an assessment for placement.
Curriculum
This introductory course is for students with minimal or no previous exposure to the Chinese language. Active participation in interactive activities will allow students to acquire the basic skills needed to communicate in real life situations. At the end of this course, students will be able to read 50 Chinese characters and to write 20 Chinese characters. Simplified Chinese characters will be taught. Awareness and understanding of Chinese culture and customs will be emphasized throughout the course.
LGE800 or permission of the instructor
Chinese Language Skills 1 continues the development of basic vocabulary, sentence structure, and pronunciation of standard Chinese to help students understand and speak more confidently using the phonetic Hanyu Pinyin system. Students entering this level are required to know approximately 20 Chinese characters. By the end of level one, students will be able to read approximately 100 Chinese characters and write up to 20 new Chinese characters. Chinese culture will be explored throughout the course.
Note: Suitability for LGE810 will be determined by an Assessment/Placement Evaluation before a student registers for the course (Note: All students must be able to understand and answer 10 questions in Chinese. Anyone who can read or write 100 Chinese characters will NOT be able to use this course as a general education credit at Seneca).
LGE810 or permission of the instructor
A continuation of LGE810, this course continues to stress language acquisition through student listening activities, involvement in pattern/structure practice, and role-playing in skits based on everyday situations where students can express themselves more freely. More complex structures and situations are introduced, while previously learned content is reinforced. By the end of this course students should be able to read 180 Chinese characters and write up to 60 Chinese characters.
(Note: Students who can read and write 180 Chinese characters will not be allowed to use this course to obtain a general education credit towards a diploma or a certificate at Seneca.)
LGE820 or permission of the instructor
A continuation of LGE820, this course also stresses language acquisition through student listening activities, involvement in pattern/structure practice and role-playing in skits based on everyday situations; students are also encouraged to express themselves more freely. More complex structures and more involved situations are introduced, while previously learned content is reinforced. By the end of this course all students should be able to read about 300 Chinese characters and write up to 90 Chinese characters.
(Note: any student who knows how to read and write 300 Chinese characters will not be allowed to use this course as a general education credit towards a diploma or a certificate at Seneca.)
LGE830 or permission of the instructor
Chinese Language Skills 4 continues to stress language acquisition through student listening activities, involvement in pattern/structure practice and role-playing in skits based on everyday situations where students can express themselves more freely. More complex structures and situations are introduced, while previously learned content is reinforced. By the end of this course all students should be able to read and write up to 450 Chinese characters. Chinese culture is explored throughout the course.
(Note: any student who knows how to read and write 450 Chinese characters will not be allowed to use this course as a general education credit towards a diploma or a certificate at Seneca.)
LGE850 or permission of the instructor
The workshop will consist of group discussions and individual or group presentations. Students can transfer their knowledge or apply newly acquired skills to individualize their Chinese learning experience. Themes and content may in part be chosen based on student interest.
Other Courses
LGE840 or permission of the instructor
Chinese Language Skills 5 continues to stress language acquisition through student listening activities, involvement in pattern/structure practice and role-playing in skits based on everyday situations where students can express themselves more freely. More complex structures and situations are introduced, while previously learned content is reinforced. By the end of this course students should be able to read and write up to 600 Chinese characters.
(Note: Students who can read and write 600 Chinese characters will not be allowed to use this course as a general education credit towards a diploma or a certificate at Seneca.)
LGE850 or permission of the instructor
Chinese Language Skills 5 continues to stress language acquisition through student listening activities, involvement in pattern/structure practice and role-playing in skits based on everyday situations where students can express themselves more freely. More complex structures and situations are introduced, while previously learned content is reinforced. By the end of this course all students should be able to read and write up to 450 Chinese characters. Chinese culture is explored throughout the course. By the end of this course students should be able to read and write up to 700 Chinese characters.
(Note: any student who can read and write 700 Chinese characters will not be allowed to use this course as a general education credit towards a diploma or a certificate at Seneca.)
LGE860 or permission of the instructor.
Chinese Language Skills 7 continues to stress language acquisition through student listening activities, involvement in pattern/structure practice and role-playing in skits based on everyday situations where students can express themselves more freely. More complex structures and situations are introduced, while previously learned content is reinforced. Chinese culture is explored throughout the course. By the end of this course students should be able to read and write up to 800 Chinese characters.
(Note: Students who can read and write 800 Chinese characters will not be allowed to use this course as a general education credit towards a diploma or a certificate at Seneca.)
LGE870 or permission of the instructor
Chinese Language Skills 8 continues to stress language acquisition through student listening activities, involvement in pattern/structure practice and role-playing in skits based on everyday situations where students can express themselves more freely. More complex structures and situations are introduced, while previously learned content is reinforced. Chinese culture is explored throughout the course. By the end of this course students should be able to recognize 120 Chinese radicals and write up to 1000 Chinese characters.
(Note: any student who knows how to read and write 1000 Chinese characters will not be allowed to use this course as a general education credit towards a diploma or a certificate at Seneca.)
Program Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Analyze the pattern and structure of written material using the Chinese language;
- Describe the history and contributions of Chinese speaking cultures;
- Communicate meaningfully and effectively in Chinese in spontaneous conversations;
- Demonstrate the ability to converse in the Chinese language for business, travel and everyday contexts;
- Apply the Chinese language in the written form for a variety of purposes and in varied contexts.
Graduation/Convocation
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October) and Spring (June).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at 416-491-5050 ext. 77461.
Program Contacts
Contact us via this form or using the phone number(s) below it.
Jamara Romero
Program Assistant
416-491-5050 ext.22513
Iole Millescamps
Part-time Program Coordinator
416-491-5050 ext.24109
Sara Potkonjak
Academic Program Manager
416-491-5050 ext.22682
Information Session
New students are invited to attend an information session.