Cantonese Lower Intermediate Course

Program Overview

Cantonese Lower Intermediate

Overview

This course is designed for individuals who have a good basic knowledge of the Cantonese language and its grammar. It is made up of three parts, each building on the previous one, and is suitable for those who have studied Cantonese for around two years or 120 hours.

Who is this class for?

This course is ideal for individuals who want to improve their language skills for professional or personal reasons. It is suitable for those who have prior experience in Cantonese, but may not be suitable for beginners.

Course Structure

The course is divided into three parts, each with its own set of topics and grammar.

Part One

• Topics: Relationships, Work, Celebrations
• Grammar:
  • Create metaphoric statements: Subject + dong3 + X + hai6 + Y
  • Express letting go: X fong6 gwo3 Y
  • Use conditional sentence structure: jyu4 gwo2 + condition + gam2 mai6 + result, jyu4 gwo2 m4 hai6 + purpose or reason, ngo5 zan1 hai6 m4 + action
  • Use a structured conjunction to give an affirmative explanation: Ji4 gaa3 m4 hai6 X, hai6 Y
  • Respond to requests reluctantly: Gwai2 giu3…
  • Use adverbial phrases to indicate that an action occurs just before another action: Lam4 + verb, Dong1 + clause + go2 zan5 si4
  • Check understanding with a warning: Statement + gaa3 ho2
  • Refuse a suggestion/action: Sai2 mat1 + action + ze1
  • Use imperative phrases: Verb + zo2 + keoi5 laa1
  • Use set phrases with end particles to express agreement or to make a hypocritical claim: Mai6 + (adjective/verb) lo1
  • Use adverbs of degree after an adjective: Adjective dou6 sei2

Part Two

• Topics: Traditional Chinese Wedding, Family, Social Meetings
• Grammar:
  • Make negative comments: Tai3 gwo3 + adjective + lo1
  • State a disadvantaged position: Gam2 + verb + faat3
  • Express misfortune: verb + can1
  • Express unconditional results: Ziu3 joeng2 + verb
  • Make an estimation: Subject + Zung6 gu2 + clause
  • Make suggestions with urgency: Gei2 daai6 dou1
  • Use adverbials to express continuous effort of an action: Verb + gik6 dou1
  • Advise: M4 X jung6 mat1 ji6 Y gaa3
  • Praise someone: Bat1 kwai5 wai4 + (name)
  • Use progressive relationship sentences to make a comment: M4 daan1 zi2 X, ji4 ze2 zung4 Y tim1
  • Express surprise as a result of someone’s deed: Ging2 jin4 lin4 X dou1
  • Indicate action being taken for the time-being: Verb + zyu3 sin1

Part Three

• Topics: Children and Family, Social Media, Conflict and Drama
• Grammar:
  • Use aversive relationship sentences to express desire and priority: Ning4 jun2 X, dou1 m4 Y
  • Make comments with comparisons: hou2 gwo3 laa1
  • Use set phrases to express indifference: Jau4 dak1 keoi3, Fai6 si6 + verb
  • Use a verb complement to express absolute completion: Verb + maai5 saai6
  • Use a set structure to express repeating an action: Zoi3 + verb + gwo3
  • Express reservation about one’s own opinion: Subject + adjective 1 + aa6 + adjective 1 + bat1 gwo3 + adjective 2
  • Use a set phrase to sum up: Gong2 dou3 mei5

Teaching

Our Cantonese lessons follow a communicative approach to language teaching, focusing on the language you need to communicate in authentic situations with an emphasis on speaking and listening. Our evening classes are taught by experienced language teachers who are native speakers of the language or equivalent.

Learning Resources

This course uses three authentic radio drama scripts to provide structured and practical, real-life materials. It aims to enhance learners' abilities to respond appropriately in social situations by studying idiomatic Cantonese expressions. Learners will explore how to express thoughts and feelings in various social contexts and different relationship dynamics. The course also focuses on the usage of various set phrases and end particles. Each lesson includes opportunities for learners to practice daily conversations.

We will use Living Cantonese for Intermediate Learners (Esther Bun-Ching Chow And Conrad Hoi-Cheong Chan) (Jyutping version) throughout the course. However, please wait until the first session before buying your course book. We will also use the tutor's own materials.

Discounts and Booking Deadlines

We offer a 10% discount to our undergraduate and postgraduate students and alumni. To receive your discount code, please contact us before booking your course.

Online Courses – September Start

• Standard Fee per Part: £300
• Booking deadline is 10 days prior to the start date of each Part.

On-Campus Courses – October Start

• Standard Fee per Part: £365
• Booking deadline is 10 days prior to the start date of each Part.

Language Courses Term Dates

Online Courses – September Start

• Part 1: 16 September 2024 – 05 December 2024 (12 weeks)
• Part 2: 20 January 2025 – 10 April 2025 (12 weeks)
• Part 3: 28 April 2025 – 28 July 2025 (Monday courses) (12 weeks)
• Part 3: 22 April 2025 – 10 July 2025 (Tuesday - Thursday courses) (12 weeks)

On-Campus Courses – September Start

• Part 1: 30 September 2024 – 05 December 2024 (10 weeks)
• Part 2: 20 January 2025 – 27 March 2025 (10 weeks)
• Part 3: 28 April 2025 – 14 July 2025 (Monday courses) (10 weeks)
• Part 3: 22 April 2025 – 26 June 2025 (Tuesday -Thursday courses) (10 weeks)

Program Outline

Outline:

• Course Structure: The Cantonese Lower Intermediate course is made up of three parts: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
Each part builds on what you've learnt previously.
• Part One:
• Target Audience:
For those who have studied Cantonese for around two years or 120 hours.
• Topics: Uniformed service, betting culture, and movies.
• Specific Content:
• Occupations of uniformed service
• Speculation culture
• Types of movies and TV programmes
• Asking questions for clarifications
• Giving advice
• Grammar:
• Differentiate similar terms of ‘Nam4 and Neoi5’
• To use active and passive verbs
• To use ‘maai4’ ‘hoi1’ to indicate movement towards something
• The uses of a connective structure ‘lin4..dou1…’ as connectives to express even …
• The varying usages of ‘soeng5’ in verb form
• To use complex sentences to describe a story
• Part Two:
• Target Audience:
For those who have completed Part One, or if you have studied Cantonese for about 140 hours.
• Topics: Investment, traditional Chinese wedding, and hotpot dinner.
• Specific Content:
• Services and products in finance
• Personal finances
• Common cooking ingredients and sauce
• The customs involved in a traditional Chinese wedding
• Grammar:
• To name a group of people using ‘ge3’
• To identify structured nouns for a person/topic + ‘ze2’
• To use modal verbs to tell probabilities and possibilities
• To give instructions and explanations using ‘adverb+ gam2 (in this manner) + verb’
• Part Three:
• Target Audience:
For those who have completed Parts One and Two, or if you have studied Cantonese for about 160 hours.
• Topics: Work environment, travelling, and festivals.
• Specific Content:
• Useful vocabulary for travelling in the airport and hotel
• Description of luxurious facilities in a hotel
• Holidays and travelling
• Festivals
• Grammar:
• To initiate discussions and carry them forward
• To use some colloquial expressions
• To make comparison using alternative relation or preference relation sentences
• To use numbers from 20-99 with ‘aa6’
• Faculty: Our evening classes are taught by experienced language teachers who are native speakers of the language or equivalent.
• Content Variation: The distribution of course content across terms may vary from year to year.
This is due to the variable length of terms in different academic years. There may also be slight content variations at the discretion of the tutor. We may, for example, include additional content when general progress is good, or vary content according to students’ interests.

Other:

• Learning Resources: The tutor's own materials will be used.
• Course Delivery: The course is offered both online and on-campus.
• Online Courses:
• Start Date:
September
• Duration:
12 weeks
• Fee:
£290 per part
• Booking Deadline:
10 days prior to the start date of each part
• On-Campus Courses:
• Start Date:
October
• Duration:
10 weeks
• Fee:
£350 per part
• Booking Deadline:
10 days prior to the start date of each part
• Bank Holidays: Monday 1 April, Monday 6 May, Monday 27 May (for both online and on-campus courses)
• Meet the Teacher Sessions: Online sessions are available to discuss your language level, meet the teachers, and learn more about the courses.
• One-to-One Tuition: Flexible one-to-one language courses are available for highly motivated students who want to make quick progress.