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Chinese language course

From the very first group lesson, an experienced teacher will help to you build on your vocabulary and understand how the language works. You’ll use traditional learning methods and online learning tools, such as MP3, websites and social media. You learn Mandarin Chinese, the official language of China. The course focuses on speaking and listening skills. You will also learn to identify and memorise basic Chinese characters. Additional work on grammar, as well as reading and writing skills, will support you in the language-learning process. Your teacher is a native speaker, and the group lesson will be conducted in Chinese as much as possible. Instructions will only be given in Dutch or English if it’s absolutely necessary. 

After completing the second module, you will be able to communicate in Chinese in everyday situations. 

Fast facts

  • beginner and basic knowledge levels
  • English CEFR level B1 is a requirement
  • starts in February and September
  • 14 sessions of 2 hours
  • groups of about 12-14 students
  • 4 hours of independent study preparation per lesson
  • certificate upon completion of requirements for each course
Find the perfect Chinese course for you Course dates and registration

"I very much enjoyed the Chinese language course, in which we not only learned the language but also had a presentation every week on a subject related to China. These presentations helped me to gain more insight into China and Chinese culture."

Philip Gestel | student FASoS

Chinese courses

For available times for the courses below, please see the course dates and the registration form. The registration form shows the currently available groups.

Quick links:

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 475

  • UM staff and alumni: € 475

  • All other participants: € 605

Costs are exclusive course materials

Reference levels according to the CEFR:

  • Beginner:Chinese A1min 
  • Beginner:Chinese A1plus
  • Elementary:Chinese A2
  • Intermediate: Chinese B1

Chinese A1minus (ZH-A1minus)

Chinese A1minus is intended for people with no prior knowledge of Chinese. In this course, you will  be introduced to the Chinese language and the culture of this country.

In this course, we will focus on communication. Basic grammar and simple sentences making. Chinese Characters will not be taught.

After this course is finished, you will be able to:

  • introduce yourself;
  • give personal information;
  • talk about your family and your study;
  • ask directions;
  • make a phone call;
  • go shopping;
  • talk about the weather and
  • make an appointment.

Course materials:

  • Contemporary Chinese 1 Textbook (new edition 2014) ISBN 978-7-5138-0617-6 
  • Contemporary Chinese 1 Exercise Book (new edition 2014) ISBN 978-7-5138-0618-3
  • Contemporary Chinese 1 MP3 discs (new edition 2014) ISBN 9787887172839

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Dates: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A1minus: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Chinese A1plus (ZH-A1plus)

This course is intended for people with basic knowledge of Chinese and people who successfully completed Chinese A1minus.

In this course, we will learn Chinese Characters. Meanwhile, we will expand communication skills. Grammar will be further explained.

After this course, you will be able to:

  • master 150 Chinese Characters;
  • read and write short texts.

Conversation subjects will be about your study, school, work, travel, order food, visiting family, planning a trip and take public transportation.

Course materials:

  • Contemporary Chinese 1 Textbook (new edition 2014)  ISBN 978-7-5138-0617-6
  • Contemporary Chinese 1 Exercise Book (new edition 2014) ISBN 978-7-5138-0618-3
  • Contemporary Chinese 1 MP3 discs (new edition 2014) ISBN 9787887172839
  • Contemporary Chinese (Revised Edition) Character Book1  ISBN: 9787513806190

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Dates: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A1plus: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Chinese A2 (ZH-A2)

Chinese A2 is intended for people with basic conversation in Chinese, be able to read around 150 Chinese Characters  and people who successfully completed Chinese A1plus.

After this course, you will be able to:

  • master 300 Chinese Characters;
  • describe people or matters.

Conversation subjects will be about travel in China, see the doctor, visit a museum and celebrate a birthday.

Course materials: (will be same required as Chinese A1plus)

  • Contemporary Chinese 2 Textbook (revised edition) ISBN: 9787513807319
  • Contemporary Chinese 2 Exercise Book (revised edition)ISBN: 9787513807326
  • Contemporary Chinese 2 Character Book (revised edition) ISBN: 9787513807333
  • Contemporary Chinese 2 MP3 Discs for Textbook+Exercise Book 2 (revised edition)   ISBN: 9787887850027

Dates: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A2: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Chinese B1 (ZH-B1)

Chinese B1 is intended for people with basic conversation in Chinese, be able to read around 300 Chinese Characters  and people who successfully completed Chinese A2.

You learn how to:

  • master 600 Chinese Characters;
  • make complicated sentences;
  • will be able to describe your hometown;
  • talk about renting a house or a car;
  • talk about the environment;
  • organize a wedding and
  • schedule activities.

Course materials: (will be same required as Chinese A2)

  • Contemporary Chinese 2 Textbook (revised edition) ISBN: 9787513807319
  • Contemporary Chinese 2 Exercise Book (revised edition)ISBN: 9787513807326
  • Contemporary Chinese 2 Character Book (revised edition) ISBN: 9787513807333
  • Contemporary Chinese 2 MP3 Discs for Textbook+Exercise Book 2 (revised edition)   ISBN: 9787887850027

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Dates: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate B1: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Registration and intake

If you are a beginner then no intake is needed and you can just register for level A1 by using our registration form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation. 

If you already have some knowledge of the language and would like to join a non-beginners group then you can email  Suli Poell to make an appointment, free of charge. Intake by appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10:00 and 12:00. Please send an email with your language-level question to Suli Poell and she will get in touch to advise the correct course. If needed an intake meeting will be scheduled. The appointment will take place at the Maastricht University Language Centre or online.

Book an intake well before the course is scheduled to begin. This process will make it easier to make the appointment, and more likely that there will still be an available spot in the module that’s right for you.

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 475 per module

  • UM staff and alumni: € 475 per module

  • All other participants: € 605 per module

Certificate and ECTS credits

After successfully completing a course, you will receive a certificate. To be eligible for a certificate, you must attend at least 12 of the 14 lessons, be present at the final exam and have satisfactory results. One course is worth 3 ECTS credits. Whether these credits are acknowledged depends on your faculty. Please consult with your faculty / home university if these credits will be accepted as part of your programme.

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