HSC Chinese Continuers (NSW) study plan
HSC Chinese Continuers (NSW) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
The individual & Reading and responding
Build a personal vocabulary bank of 120 words and phrases for the individual domain (family, relationships, personal identity, daily life), grouped by sub-theme.
Read two short Chinese texts (250–300 characters each) on personal identity or family and annotate main ideas, tone, and unknown characters.
Write 10 original sentences using the new vocabulary, each with a clear context sentence.
Set up a spaced-repetition schedule (e.g., Anki) and review the week’s vocabulary daily.
Your checkpoint
A vocabulary log of 120 items with example sentences and a one-page summary of the two reading texts (main idea, tone, and five new characters learned).
The individual & Listening and responding
Listen to three 2–3 minute audio recordings (podcasts, news segments, or textbook dialogues) on individual/family topics and transcribe key details.
Identify and note the tone and register (formal/informal) in each recording.
Practise responding to listening comprehension questions in Chinese, using full sentences.
Record yourself summarising one audio in 60–90 seconds and compare with the transcript.
Your checkpoint
Three listening logs (with transcript excerpts, question responses, and a self-assessment of comprehension accuracy).
The Chinese-speaking communities & The changing world
Research and note 8–10 key aspects of Chinese-speaking communities (e.g., festivals, food, family roles, migration, education) in Chinese.
Read two articles (300–400 characters) on changing world topics (technology, environment, urbanisation) and extract arguments and supporting details.
Compare one community tradition with a changing-world trend in a 150-character written response.
Create a mind map linking community and changing-world vocabulary to real examples.
Your checkpoint
A two-column comparison table (community vs. changing world) with at least 10 points and a 150-character reflective paragraph.
The changing world & Writing in Chinese
Write a 250-character persuasive text (e.g., blog post or letter) on a changing-world issue, using at least 8 new vocabulary items.
Draft and revise the text for coherence, connectives, and appropriate register.
Complete two timed writing practices (20 minutes each) on individual and community topics.
Self-assess writing against HSC criteria (content, organisation, vocabulary, grammar).
Your checkpoint
A polished 250-character persuasive text plus a self-assessment checklist with specific improvement points.
Listening and responding & Reading and responding
Complete four timed reading comprehension practices (one per session) using past-paper style texts, 15 minutes each.
Complete four timed listening practices (one per session) with 5–8 questions each, 10 minutes per practice.
Analyse question types (main idea, detail, inference, tone) and note strategies for each.
Review errors and create a personal error log with corrective actions.
Your checkpoint
An error log with at least 15 entries (question type, cause, and strategy) and scores for each practice.
The individual & The Chinese-speaking communities & The changing world
Synthesise vocabulary and ideas from all three domains into a 300-character essay plan (introduction, two body paragraphs, conclusion).
Write a 300-character essay on a cross-domain topic (e.g., technology and family in Chinese-speaking communities).
Revise the essay using a checklist for range, accuracy, and text structure.
Practise 10 short-answer questions (2–3 marks each) across domains.
Your checkpoint
A 300-character essay with a revision checklist and a set of 10 short-answer responses.
Listening and responding & Reading and responding & Writing in Chinese
Complete a full mock exam under timed conditions (listening, reading, writing).
Mark the mock using HSC-style criteria and identify three weakest areas.
Targeted practice: two additional listening and two reading tasks focused on weak areas.
Rewrite one writing task from the mock to improve content and language.
Your checkpoint
Mock exam results with a mark breakdown and a targeted improvement plan for the final week.
The individual & The Chinese-speaking communities & The changing world & Listening and responding & Reading and responding & Writing in Chinese
Review all vocabulary and error logs, focusing on high-frequency mistakes.
Complete two mini-mocks (one listening/reading, one writing) under time pressure.
Refine exam strategies: time allocation, question order, and checking procedures.
Finalise a one-page summary sheet of key phrases, text types, and connectives.
Your checkpoint
A one-page exam strategy summary sheet and mini-mock scores with a final reflection.
Milestones
Week 2: Vocabulary log of 120 items completed and three listening logs with accurate transcriptions and responses.
Week 4: Polished 250-character persuasive text completed and self-assessed against HSC criteria.
Week 6: 300-character essay completed and 10 short-answer questions answered with at least 80% accuracy.
Week 8: Full mock exam completed with a mark breakdown and a one-page strategy summary sheet.