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The Confucius Institute at the UWI St. Augustine

Student Handbook 2019 - 2020

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Contents

Opening Hours 3

About Us 4

Available Courses 5

Course Schedule 5

Textbooks 6

Outline of Courses 7

HSK Chinese Language Proficiency Test 10

Location of Classes 11

Class Timetable 11

Contact Hours 11

Registration 11

Tuition Fees 12

Refund Policy 12

Grading scheme 13

Certification 13

Transcripts 13

Cancellation of Classes 14

Absence from Tests 14

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Opening hours

The Confucius Institute (CI) is located on the 2nd Floor of the Centre for Language Learning Building at

the UWI St. Augustine Campus.

The Administration Office of the Confucius Institute is open:

Monday to Friday

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

**During registration, the administrative office will be open from 9:00am – 3:00pm

The Office is CLOSED on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).

Closure of the Confucius Institute

The Confucius Institute is closed on all official public holidays, as well as on Carnival Monday and

Tuesday. The CI Office may also close to accommodate external cultural activities, or any special events

in accordance with its annual calendar.

Facilities

The Reading Room at the Confucius Institute offers a wide variety of learning resources to anyone

seeking to learn more about China’s culture, language and history. Notwithstanding, only registered

Confucius Institute students are permitted access to the Reading Room, from Monday to Friday,

between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Contact Us

Telephone: (+1868) 662-2002 Ext. 83213/83278

E-mail: Confucius@sta.uwi.edu

Website: https://sta.uwi.edu/confucius/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Confucius.UWI/

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/156098173@N04/albums

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About Us

The Confucius Institute at the UWI St. Augustine Campus is a non-profit educational organisation,

committed to the teaching of the Mandarin Chinese language and the promotion of Chinese culture.

It is operated in partnership with Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and China Agricultural

University (CAU). Officially launched on October 23rd, 2013, it was the first institute of its kind in

Trinidad and Tobago and only the second in the greater Caribbean region.

Our goals are to teach and to provide educational resources to learners of the Mandarin Chinese

language, while encouraging and strengthening inter-cultural exchange and cooperation between

China and Trinidad and Tobago. As our organisation grows, we will become a focal point for culture,

as well as a fully-functional, HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) examination centre and training hub for

Chinese language instructors.

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Available Courses

The Confucius Institute offers various language (Mandarin Chinese) and culture courses, the following

of which are currently available:

Course name Levels

Mandarin Chinese Level 1 (Mandarin 1.1 & Mandarin 1.2) Level 2 (Mandarin 2.1 & Mandarin 2.2) Level 3 (Man. 3.1 & Man 3.2, Man 3.3, Man. 3.4) Level 4 (Mandarin 4.1 & Mandarin 4.2) Level 5 (Mandarin 5.1 & Mandarin 5.2) Level 6 (Mandarin 6.1 & Mandarin 6.2)

Business Mandarin *Not offered 2019/2020*

Level 1 (Business 1.1 & Business 1.2) Level 2 (Business 2.1 & Business 2.2)

Chinese Calligraphy N/A

Tai Chi Tai Chi Level 1 Tai Chi Level 2 Tai Chi Fan

HSK Test Preparation HSK Prep 1 HSK Prep 2 HSK Prep 3

Chinese Culture Corner workshops Various topics (topics are published in October / March)

Chinese Conversation *Not offered 2019/2020*

Beginner

Intensive Mandarin Chinese *Not offered 2019/2020*

Beginner

Course Schedule

Semester I - September to December

Semester II – January to April

Summer Cultural Programme – During the months of June and July, the Confucius Institute

organises short interactive workshops on Chinese culture and language, as well as special

activities to spotlight Chinese culture, such as Chinese Movie Nights.

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Textbooks – Mandarin Chinese Language Classes

New Practical Chinese Reader (Books 1-3)

The New Practical Chinese Reader (NPCR) book series is designed to support native English speakers in their efforts to learn Mandarin Chinese. The series aims to promote the learner’s ability to communicate via the study of language structure, language function and related cultural knowledge, in conjunction with the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

The New Practical Chinese Reader series – a key resource for the Mandarin Chinese and Intensive Mandarin Chinese courses.

Replacement texts: TT$250

Additional exercise books: TT$20

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Outline of Courses

Business Chinese

As the basics of Mandarin Chinese are examined in these courses, students also simultaneously learn

how to apply the language in a business scenario, while being introduced to the unique aspects of

Chinese business culture and etiquette. From Levels 1-4, students gradually learn about business

greetings, business interaction, business-related trips, business negotiations, etc. Upon completion of

each course level, students are required to pass an assessment test in order to advance to the next

tier.

Levels (Beginner to Intermediate) Pre-requisites

Business Mandarin Level 1.1 At least 26 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Business Mandarin Level 1.2 At least 26 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Business Mandarin Level 2.1 At least 52 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Business Mandarin Level 2.2 At least 78 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Chinese Calligraphy

The Chinese Calligraphy course aims to improve students’ understanding and appreciation of Chinese

arts and culture, providing an introduction to Chinese calligraphy as an art-form and its associated

philosophy. Not only do students learn more about the Chinese writing system, they are also taught

how to reproduce Chinese characters with a writing brush to create their own calligraphy

masterpieces. Some of the topics to be covered in this course include:

An introduction to Chinese Calligraphy.

Key tools used in Chinese Calligraphy.

Basic strokes of Chinese characters.

Chinese Calligraphy styles.

At the end of the course, the students’ own works of art will be featured in a final exhibition. Since no

textbook is required for this subject, all handouts or resource materials are provided by the instructor.

The requisite instruments are supplied by the Institute and distributed to students on the first day of

class.

Chinese Corner

The Chinese Corner activity consists of cultural workshops on select topics related to China and

Chinese culture. Visit our website for descriptions of available workshops:

https://sta.uwi.edu/confucius/chinese-culture-corner-workshops-and-lectures

HSK Prep Courses

The Confucius Institute’s HSK Prep courses are designed to help students prepare for the HSK Chinese

Proficiency Examination. Furthermore, each of the HSK Prep courses corresponds to the equivalent

test level of the actual HSK examination. For example, HSK Prep 1 is appropriate for a student

preparing to sit the HSK Level 1. Thus, in the respective Prep classes, students are taught the relevant

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vocabulary and aspects of grammar required at the specific HSK test level for which they intend to

register.

Mandarin Chinese Levels 1-6

Mandarin Chinese is a non-intensive language programme, divided into six levels, designed for

students who would like to learn Mandarin Chinese. The programme seeks to develop the four core

language skills (i.e., listening, speaking, reading and writing), with a heightened focus on listening and

speaking at the most basic course level. On completion of each stage of the course, students are

required to pass an assessment test in order to pursue more advanced studies.

Through these courses, students are also able to prepare for the HSK test, the Chinese language

proficiency test to assess non-native Chinese speakers’ ability to use the language in their daily social,

academic and professional lives.

Levels Pre-requisites

Mandarin 1.1 No prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin 1.2 At least 50 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Mandarin 2.1 At least 100 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Mandarin 2.2 At least 150 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Mandarin 3.1 At least 200 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Mandarin 3.2 At least 250 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Mandarin 3.3 At least 300 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Mandarin 3.4 At least 350 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Mandarin 4.1 At least 400 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Mandarin 4.2 At least 450 hours of Mandarin Chinese Study

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an ancient, Chinese martial art involving a series of slow, meditative body movements,

originally designed for self-defence purposes and to promote inner peace and serenity. Tai Chi also

offers many physical and psychological health benefits and is said to improve balance, strength,

endurance and aerobic capacity, as well as providing relief from stress, depression and high blood

pressure. The Yang style, one of the five major techniques of Tai Chi, is the principal method featured

in this course.

Tai Chi Fan

Tai Chi Fan is a style that combines Tai Chi steps with the movements of a fan. The fan's opening and

closing movements allow the students to practice stress release and energy circulation.

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HSK Chinese Language Proficiency Test

The HSK test levels correspond to those defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), as follows:

New HSK Acquired Vocabulary CEFRL

HSK (Level 6) Over 5,000 words C2

HSK (Level 5) 2,500 words C1

HSK (Level 4) 1,200 words B2

HSK (Level 3) 600 words B1

HSK (Level 2) 300 words A2

HSK (Level 1) 150 words A1

Students who are able to pass the HSK (Level 1) can understand and use very simple Chinese words and phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies. Students who are able to pass the HSK (Level 2) have an excellent grasp of basic Chinese. They can communicate during easy and routine tasks requiring the simple and direct exchange of information about familiar matters. Students who are able to pass the HSK (Level 3) can communicate in Chinese at a basic level in their daily social, academic and professional lives. Furthermore, they can manage most essential communication in Chinese while travelling in China. Students who are able to pass the HSK (Level 4) can converse in Chinese on a wide range of topics and are able to communicate fluently with native Chinese speakers. Students who are able to pass the HSK (Level 5) can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, enjoy Chinese films and plays, and even deliver a full-length speech in Chinese. Students who are able to pass the HSK (Level 6) can easily comprehend information provided in Chinese, both written and spoken, while also capable of effectively expressing themselves in Chinese, both orally and in writing.

Results of the HSK test are published online. Approximately one month after the test, successful

candidates are awarded certificates, as issued by the Confucius Institute’s Headquarters (Hanban) in

Beijing, China. Concerned persons are duly notified by the Confucius Institute at UWI St. Augustine

when certificates are ready for collection.

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Location of Classes Classes are offered in three main zones: Port of Spain, San Fernando and St. Augustine (The Confucius

Institute Reading Room).

Class Timetable Our classes are held on weekdays (time varies) and on Saturdays (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. OR 1:30 – 5:30

p.m.).

Contact Hours

Course Hours per week Duration Total contact hours

Mandarin Chinese 4 13 weeks 52

Business Mandarin *Not offered 2019/2020*

2 13 weeks 26

Chinese Calligraphy 2 10 weeks 20

Tai Chi Levels 1 & 2 Tai Chi Fan

1.5 10 weeks 15

Tai Chi Sword/ Martial Arts *Not offered 2019/2020*

2 10 weeks 20

HSK Prep 2 4 weeks 8 hours

Chinese Corner 1.5 - 2 Varies Varies

Intensive Mandarin *Not offered 2019/2020*

6 13 weeks 78

Chinese Conversation *Not offered 2019/2020*

2 13 weeks 26

Chinese Heritage Class 2 13 weeks 26

Registration

To register for a course at the Confucius Institute, please follow the steps indicated:

Step #1 – Complete the online registration form, available only during the established registration

period.

Step #2 – Collect the payment chit at the CI Administration Office.

Step #3 – Pay the corresponding tuition fees at the UWI Bursary, located on the UWI St. Augustine

Campus. The Bursary is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and accepts all forms of payment.

Step #4 – Present the official payment receipt at the CI Administration Office. The CI will retain a

photocopy of the document, with the original receipt returned to the student.

NB: Persons are considered to be fully registered only after completion of the online form and

payment of relevant tuition fees.

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Tuition Fees Please refer to the table below for a breakdown of our tuition fees:

Course Fee

Mandarin Chinese Intensive Mandarin

TT $1,000 (new students) TT $800 (returning CI students, UWI students and UWI staff)

Calligraphy Business Chinese

TT $500

Tai Chi, Martial Arts TT $600 TT$100 (UWI students with valid student ID)

Chinese Conversation TT $500

HSK Test Preparation TT$300 (cost may vary depending on the level and duration of class)

Chinese Corner TT$30 (public and UWI staff) / TT$20 (UWI students)

Chinese Heritage Class TT $500 (13 weeks) TT $300 (8 weeks – Semester III)

*All fees are inclusive of textbooks (where applicable) and other learning materials.

HSK Chinese Language Proficiency Examination:

Level Fee

HSK Level 1 TT $400

HSK Level 2 TT $500

HSK Level 3 TT $600

HSK Level 4 TT $700

HSK Level 5 TT $800

HSK Level 6 TT $900

HSKK Beginner TT$400

HSKK Intermediate TT$500

HSKK Advanced TT$600

Refund Policy Any student may apply for a refund of tuition fees, if unable to continue attending classes. To request

a refund, the original receipt issued by the UWI Bursary must be returned to the CI Administration

Office. No refund can be issued without the return of the original receipt for payment of tuition fees.

A refund cheque is usually issued within three to four weeks from submission of the receipt. Refund

cheques may be collected on weekdays at the UWI Bursary, UWI St. Augustine Campus, between the

hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Refund applications should be made within three weeks of the start of the respective classes. All

refund applications made beyond this period will be subject to a processing fee of TT$50.

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Grading Scheme Courses are graded Pass (P) or Fail (F). Scores of 50% and over receive a passing grade.

姓名 (Name)

口语成绩 (Oral Test )

笔试成绩 (Written Test)

总评成绩(Overall)

是否通过 Pass/Fail

Jane Doe 34 44 78 P

Certification Academic certificates are issued only for language-based courses (inclusive of cumulative hours

earned in Business Mandarin, Mandarin Chinese and Intensive Mandarin). The certificates are issued

according to the number of contact hours accumulated at the Confucius Institute, e.g. by completing

the level 1.1 and 1.2 courses, students will receive a certificate of 100 hours of study.

Please note that eligibility for an academic certificate is subject to completion of the final course

assessment. Only participants with at least a 75% attendance of the sessions will be entitled to receive

these certificates.

Certificates are not issued for completion of the Tai Chi, Chinese Calligraphy or HSK Prep classes.

Official Records Students may request official records for Chinese language and culture courses (with the exception of

HSK Prep courses). Official records are generally available five (5) working days after they have been

requested. Requests must be submitted to Confucius@sta.uwi.edu and include the following

information:

Full name of student,

Telephone contact,

Semester and academic year of enrolment,

Relevant course name(s).

Please note that eligibility for an official record is subject to completion of the final course

assessment. Only participants with at least a 75% attendance of the sessions will be entitled to receive

these records.

Cancellation of Classes The Confucius Institute at the UWI St. Augustine campus reserves the right to cancel any class, if the

minimum quota of 10 students has not been fulfilled. Cancellations may also occur due to unavoidable

circumstances, such as those liable to directly affect the conduct of a class, as in the case of a public

holiday or a major cultural event hosted by the Institute, for example. In this event, make-up classes

are scheduled by mutual agreement of students and teachers.

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Absence from Tests Language assessment tests are normally held at the end of the teaching in Week 13. Test schedules

are fixed and cannot be adjusted to suit individual student timetables. As a general rule, no make-up

test sessions are offered.

However, at discretion of the instructor and the administrative office of the Confucius Institute, a

student who is absent for the listening, speaking, reading or writing components of tests may be

accommodated in another group of the same course level. Absence for medical or other extenuating

circumstances must be supported by medical certificates or other relevant documents.

Such make-up tests can only be arranged at the UWI St. Augustine campus location. Students who are

absent for authorised make-up tests will automatically receive a grade of ‘zero’ for the incomplete

modules. If more than 5 weeks has passed since the original date of the scheduled final exam, the

student will automatically receive a grade of “zero”.

The Confucius Institute reserves the right to make any changes to the information presented in this

handbook.