Understanding Chinese for Chinese Speakers

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
LANG 3103
Course ID icon
Course ID
202814
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Humanities
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Hong Cai
Course level icon
Course level
3
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course is intended for native or near-native speakers of Mandarin studying Modern Standard Chinese in Australian context. The course aims to introduce students to the essentials of the Chinese language so as to enhance their proficiency in the practical use of the language in the Australian context. It focuses on important aspects of the language including its writing system, historical development, and its social and regional variances. Topics covered in this course include Chinese among world languages, Chinese in China and overseas, Romanisation schemes, the phonological, lexical and syntactic features of Chinese, the historical development of Chinese, reform of the Chinese language, analysis of traditional & simplified scripts and teaching Chinese as a foreign language in Australia.

Course learning outcomes

  • Acquire a sound knowledge of the basics of the Chinese language with regard to its structure, social and geographic profile.
  • Understand the historical evolvement of the Chinese language.
  • Read in and convert between the simplified and the traditional script of Chinese.
  • Work with major Romanization schemes of Chinese, such as pinyin and the Wade-Giles system.
  • Use both digital and non-digital resources to address language related issues.
  • Understand the current situation of Chinese on the world stage and debate on the topic of reforming the Chinese language.
  • Engage in collaborative work and use a variety of resources to solve problems encountered in practice.
  • Learn the essentials of teaching Chinese in the Australian context including adapting to the diverse Australian cultures.
  • Use technologies to complete assignments.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 28442
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, B.17
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, B.17
Class number
Class number 28441
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
5 May - 26 May Tuesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Schulz, 307
Class number
Class number 28439
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 12:10pm - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, B.17
8 May - 29 May Friday 12:10pm - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Ingkarni Wardli, B.17

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed CHIN3013 Understanding Chinese for Chinese Speakers at the University of Adelaide

Fee calculator

To display course fees, please select your status and program below:

Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.