Teacher PLD: Beginner Classroom Chinese for Non-native Teachers

Date: Full-day online workshop - Wednesday, 18 March 2026, 9.30am-3.00pm

Online Lessons - Tuesdays- 31 March, 28 April, 12 May, 26 May, 9 June, 23 June 2026 3:45pm-5:00pm

Modality: Online

Duration: Term 1 and 2. 12.5 hours of workshop time + approximately 12 hours of self-study time.

Price: Free

Short course structure and topics covered: 

This course provides beginners with an opportunity to learn classroom Chinese, and/or support new teachers of Chinese. 

Participants will have the chance to network with other non-native teachers, improve their language teaching skills, and build intercultural understanding. 

Through this course, participants will also gain a deeper understanding of Chinese heritage speakers and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to better equip students for navigating our wider global world. 

 

One full day online workshop (9.30am to 3.00pm) plus six fortnightly after-school sessions.

 

Online lesson 1 (3.45pm- 5.00pm): Greetings

Online lesson 2 (3.45pm - 5.00pm): Numbers

Online lesson 3 (3.45pm - 5.00pm): Age and dates

Online lesson 4 (3.45pm - 5.00pm): Classroom language

Online lesson 5 (3.45pm - 5.00pm): Likes and dislikes       

Online lesson 6 (3.45pm - 5.00pm): Revision and reflection

 

TRD Reimbursements:

Following successful completion of the course, one Teacher Release Day (TRD) will be reimbursed to your school to cover the full day workshop.

 

School visits available on request:

We're happy to visit your school or class to help you get started and provide practical support for setting up a Chinese language programme.

 

Learning Outcomes: 

This course introduces the Chinese language and culture to absolute beginners, with a focus on oral communication and classroom language. 

 

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

      

• Communicate basic personal information such as greetings, name, and age.
• Use common expressions and vocabulary for classroom interactions.
• Develop key oral skills for speaking and teaching beginner Chinese.
• Gain insights into Chinese culture and how to integrate it into classroom learning.

 

Who should attend?

 

All secondary and primary school teachers registered in NZ. No prior experience or knowledge is required.

 

Previous participant reviews 

 

"The lessons were well paced with plenty of practice materials and time between lessons. I have been able to share my learning with the tamariki in my class immediately, from practicing simple greetings and calendar time etc. I would strongly recommend this course for all kaiako. I feel very well prepared to graciously welcome new Chinese families into our kura, upholding the mana of the tamaiti, the whānau and the kura. " - Rachel Ammundsen

 

“The Beginner Classroom Chinese for Non-native Teachers course was a fun, interactive dive into Mandarin, where we learned everyday essentials like greetings and numbers through games, songs, and plenty of conversational engagement and laughter. The facilitator was incredibly supportive, creating an encouraging space where mistakes were welcomed as part of the learning journey, because mistakes mean we're learning! She patiently helped us fine-tune our pronunciation and made sure everyone felt confident while tailoring the course to our needs. I recommend that teachers attend this PLD, as it offers easy-to-use resources and a strong focus on cultural appreciation. This course has sparked a genuine love for language learning in me, while celebrating inclusion and diversity in our classrooms.” – Vanessa Jansz

 

If you have any course enquiries, please email chinese.clec@auckland.ac.nz.

 

By enrolling in a Short Course at the University of Auckland you agree to the Short Course Terms and Conditions