A Level
Chinese
Specification
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chinese
(spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese) (9CN0)
First teaching from September 2017
First certification from 2019 Issue 3
,Summary of Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE
in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese)
specification
Issue 3 changes
Summary of changes made between previous issue and this current issue Page
number
Assessment information for Paper 1 amended with updated guidance on how to 12
access the recordings for Section A (listening)
‘recordings will be issued as audio files via our Secure Download Service (SDS) prior
to the exam’
Administration and general information about the conduct of the speaking assessment 40
amended with updated guidance on now to submit recordings of the speaking
assessment
‘Complete, unedited recordings of all assessments must be submitted to Pearson via
the online Learner Work Transfer (LWT) portal’
If you need further information on these changes or what they mean, contact us via our website at:
qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html.
,Contents
1 Introduction 2
Why choose the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chinese (spoken
Mandarin/spoken Cantonese)? 2
Supporting you in planning and implementing this qualification 4
Qualification at a glance 5
2 Subject content and assessment information 8
Themes and sub-themes 9
Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation 11
Paper 2: Written response to works and translation 13
Paper 3: Speaking 21
Assessment Objectives 42
3 Administration and general information 43
Entries 43
Access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, special consideration and
malpractice 43
Student recruitment and progression 46
Appendix 1: Independent research project form (RP3) 49
Appendix 2: Prescribed literary texts and films 51
Appendix 3: Grammar list 52
Appendix 4: The context for the development of this qualification 60
Appendix 5: Transferable skills 62
Appendix 6: Level 3 Extended Project qualification 63
Appendix 7: Codes 65
, 1 Introduction
Why choose the Pearson Edexcel Level 3
Advanced GCE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/
spoken Cantonese)?
We believe languages should appeal to all students. Our new Pearson Edexcel Level 3
Advanced GCE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese) has been developed to
inspire all students who have an appreciation of the language, literature, film and culture of
the Chinese-speaking world.
We’ve listened to feedback from the languages community – subject associations, academics
and advisors, together with teachers and students – and have designed a motivating course
of study that will enable your students to develop an advanced level knowledge and
understanding of the Chinese language, the culture of China and other Chinese-speaking
countries, as well as practical and valuable language and transferable study skills. This
specification will help to prepare students for higher education and enhance their
employability profile.
Inspiring and engaging themes – our qualification features familiar and popular themes
as well as some new content that provides clear links to some of the most fundamental and
interesting aspects of the culture of the Chinese-speaking world.
Popular literary texts and films – we offer a choice of literary texts and films that includes
contemporary and more classical titles, together with authentic source materials from China
and the wider Chinese-speaking world.
Rewards creativity – our assessments place an emphasis on spontaneity and grammar, as
well as providing plenty of opportunities for students to apply their knowledge independently
and creatively. Clear mark schemes encourage students to develop ideas and use language
to persuade and analyse and give critical responses in their writing and speaking.
Clear and coherent structure – our qualification has a straightforward structure with four
engaging themes:
Theme 1 Theme 2
Traditional characters
當代華人社會變遷 中國文化
Simplified characters
当代华人社会变迁 中国文化
Theme 3 Theme 4
Traditional characters
演變中的華人社會 1978 年改革開放對中國的影響
Simplified characters
演变中的华人社会 1978 年改革开放对中国的影响
2 Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese)
Specification – Issue 3 – January 2022 © Pearson Education Limited 2022
Chinese
Specification
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chinese
(spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese) (9CN0)
First teaching from September 2017
First certification from 2019 Issue 3
,Summary of Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE
in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese)
specification
Issue 3 changes
Summary of changes made between previous issue and this current issue Page
number
Assessment information for Paper 1 amended with updated guidance on how to 12
access the recordings for Section A (listening)
‘recordings will be issued as audio files via our Secure Download Service (SDS) prior
to the exam’
Administration and general information about the conduct of the speaking assessment 40
amended with updated guidance on now to submit recordings of the speaking
assessment
‘Complete, unedited recordings of all assessments must be submitted to Pearson via
the online Learner Work Transfer (LWT) portal’
If you need further information on these changes or what they mean, contact us via our website at:
qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html.
,Contents
1 Introduction 2
Why choose the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chinese (spoken
Mandarin/spoken Cantonese)? 2
Supporting you in planning and implementing this qualification 4
Qualification at a glance 5
2 Subject content and assessment information 8
Themes and sub-themes 9
Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation 11
Paper 2: Written response to works and translation 13
Paper 3: Speaking 21
Assessment Objectives 42
3 Administration and general information 43
Entries 43
Access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, special consideration and
malpractice 43
Student recruitment and progression 46
Appendix 1: Independent research project form (RP3) 49
Appendix 2: Prescribed literary texts and films 51
Appendix 3: Grammar list 52
Appendix 4: The context for the development of this qualification 60
Appendix 5: Transferable skills 62
Appendix 6: Level 3 Extended Project qualification 63
Appendix 7: Codes 65
, 1 Introduction
Why choose the Pearson Edexcel Level 3
Advanced GCE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/
spoken Cantonese)?
We believe languages should appeal to all students. Our new Pearson Edexcel Level 3
Advanced GCE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese) has been developed to
inspire all students who have an appreciation of the language, literature, film and culture of
the Chinese-speaking world.
We’ve listened to feedback from the languages community – subject associations, academics
and advisors, together with teachers and students – and have designed a motivating course
of study that will enable your students to develop an advanced level knowledge and
understanding of the Chinese language, the culture of China and other Chinese-speaking
countries, as well as practical and valuable language and transferable study skills. This
specification will help to prepare students for higher education and enhance their
employability profile.
Inspiring and engaging themes – our qualification features familiar and popular themes
as well as some new content that provides clear links to some of the most fundamental and
interesting aspects of the culture of the Chinese-speaking world.
Popular literary texts and films – we offer a choice of literary texts and films that includes
contemporary and more classical titles, together with authentic source materials from China
and the wider Chinese-speaking world.
Rewards creativity – our assessments place an emphasis on spontaneity and grammar, as
well as providing plenty of opportunities for students to apply their knowledge independently
and creatively. Clear mark schemes encourage students to develop ideas and use language
to persuade and analyse and give critical responses in their writing and speaking.
Clear and coherent structure – our qualification has a straightforward structure with four
engaging themes:
Theme 1 Theme 2
Traditional characters
當代華人社會變遷 中國文化
Simplified characters
当代华人社会变迁 中国文化
Theme 3 Theme 4
Traditional characters
演變中的華人社會 1978 年改革開放對中國的影響
Simplified characters
演变中的华人社会 1978 年改革开放对中国的影响
2 Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese)
Specification – Issue 3 – January 2022 © Pearson Education Limited 2022
