LANG 1133
Cantonese for Chinese Language Background Students I
Course Description
LANG1133 is designed for Chinese-background students with no prior Cantonese experience and builds on their existing knowledge of Chinese to support efficient learning. Through systematic comparison with Putonghua, students develop practical skills in pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence structure for everyday situations such as ordering food, making phone calls, exploring Hong Kong, and discussing university life. The course also supports more confident interaction with local students and a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s festivals, slang, customs, and culture.
Highlights
Contrastive Approach
Learn Cantonese through systematic comparison with Putonghua, focusing on key differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
Practical Speaking Focus
Build confidence and fluency through guided practice in everyday communication and real-life situations.
Microlearning and AI-Supported Practice
Use short, focused learning tasks and appropriate AI tools to support regular practice, pronunciation, and independent learning.
Assessments
- Listening Assessment: paper test in class
- Speaking Assessment 1: self-introduction in class
- Speaking Assessment 2: monologue and dialogue with the instructor
Target Students
- Restricted to students from Chinese language backgrounds
- No prior knowledge of Cantonese
Learning Experience
Student Testimonials
- “I have enhanced my Cantonese a lot through this course!!”
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"An absolutely engaging and fun learning experience!"
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"This course has been one of my favorites—highly recommended!"