Course Objectives

• Build a strong Mandarin Chinese foundation for beginners aiming to achieve HSK Level 1 to HSK Level 2 proficiency.
• Develop the four core language skills - Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing - together with pronunciation, tones, grammar, and essential vocabulary through an integrated learning approach.
• Strengthen students’ communication abilities in everyday situations such as self-introduction, shopping, transportation, dining, school, and daily conversations.
• Build a solid understanding of Chinese sentence structures, pinyin pronunciation systems, and commonly used expressions.
• Develop students’ confidence in communicating naturally while introducing cultural awareness and practical language usage in Chinese-speaking environments.

Course Requirements

• Prerequisite: Suitable for complete beginners or learners with very limited Chinese proficiency.
• Placement Test: A placement assessment may be conducted prior to enrollment to determine the most suitable learning level.
• No previous HSK learning experience is required.

Learning Pathway

Stage 1: Chinese Foundation (HSK 1 Preparation)

Recommended Duration

• 4 – 6 months

Estimated Lessons

• 40 – 60 lessons

Estimated Study Hours

• Approximately 60 – 90 hours

Focus Areas

• Pinyin pronunciation and tones
• Basic sentence structures
• Essential everyday vocabulary
• Listening and Speaking foundation
• Character recognition and writing basics
• Beginner-level communication practice

Stage 2: Elementary Communication Development (HSK 2 Preparation)

Recommended Duration

• 4 – 6 months

Estimated Lessons

• 40 – 60 lessons

Estimated Study Hours

• Approximately 60 – 90 hours

Focus Areas

• Expansion of vocabulary and grammar patterns
• Daily conversation development
• Reading short passages and dialogues
• Writing simple sentences and paragraphs
• Listening comprehension improvement
• HSK-style exercises and communication practice

Skill Targets

Listening

• Students will develop the ability to understand basic Chinese conversations, classroom instructions, and everyday expressions used in familiar situations.
• Students will improve listening accuracy through audio practice, repetition activities, and real-life communication exercises.

Target

• Understand and respond to basic HSK 1–2 level listening materials confidently by course end.

Reading

• Students will gradually recognize and understand basic Chinese characters, simple dialogues, signs, and short reading passages.
• Students will develop reading comprehension skills through vocabulary-building and contextual reading activities.

Target

• Read and understand beginner-level HSK 1–2 texts and questions independently.

Writing

• Students will learn basic Chinese character writing, sentence construction, and simple paragraph organization.
• Students will practice writing short self-introductions, daily routines, descriptions, and simple communication messages.

Target

• Write accurate beginner-level Chinese sentences and short paragraphs appropriate for HSK 1–2 level.

Speaking

• Students will improve pronunciation, tones, fluency, and communication confidence through interactive Speaking activities.
• Students will practice introducing themselves, asking and answering questions, expressing opinions, and handling basic daily-life situations in Chinese.

Target

• Communicate naturally in familiar beginner-level situations using HSK 1–2 vocabulary and sentence patterns.

Pronunciation and Tone Accuracy

• Master pinyin pronunciation systems and the four tones in Mandarin Chinese.
• Develop clearer pronunciation and tone differentiation through guided speaking and listening exercises.
• Practice tone correction and conversational rhythm regularly throughout the course.

Teaching Methodology

• Integrated four-skill learning approach where Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing reinforce one another.
• Communicative and topic-based instruction focused on practical daily-life Chinese usage.
• Interactive classroom activities including role-play, pair work, pronunciation drills, games, and guided conversation practice.
• Continuous feedback and progress monitoring to support individual learning development.
• Cultural integration activities to help students better understand Chinese communication styles and social expressions.

Textbook and Materials

Main Materials

• Digital Chinese learning materials and HSK-focused curriculum provided by Sakura Academy.

Supplementary Materials

• Available via the Sakura Academy Portal, including:

* HSK vocabulary lists and exercises * Pronunciation and tone practice materials * Listening audio and conversation videos * Character writing worksheets * Speaking practice activities and quizzes * Interactive communication exercises

Recommended Self-Study

• Students are strongly encouraged to complete 30–60 minutes of daily self-study outside class.
• Recommended activities include vocabulary memorization, pronunciation practice, shadowing, listening exercises, character writing, and speaking rehearsal.
• Consistent self-study significantly improves language retention, pronunciation accuracy, and communication confidence.

Syllabus Flexibility

• Pacing and emphasis may be adjusted based on diagnostic assessments, ongoing performance, learning goals, and mutual agreement between instructors and students. Sakura Academy aims to provide a flexible and supportive learning environment tailored to each learner’s needs.
• For further information, placement consultation, or course inquiries, please contact Sakura Academy directly.