Edexcel GCE Advance Chinese 9CN0-02 Written -Core Course

Core Course Overview: Prescribed Literary Texts and Films (First Exam: 2018 Onward)

This Core Course provides in-depth study and guided analysis of the Prescribed Literary Texts and Films listed in the official curriculum for Edexcel GCE A Level and AS Chinese (8CN02 / 9CN02), with the first assessment from 2018. It is designed to support students, teachers, and independent learners preparing for Paper 2: Written Response to Works and Translation.

What’s Included in the Course?

This course offers comprehensive support by dividing each literary text into two parts to suit different learning and teaching environments:

Part 1: Reading Mode (Text with Background Music)

• The full text is displayed with calming background music to enhance focus and retention.

• Learners can pause the video to read at their own pace, allowing for thoughtful engagement with the text.

• Teachers can use this version in the classroom as a visual textbook and provide their own interpretations, explanations, and discussions.

Part 2: Explanation and Analysis

• We break down the literary elements such as themes, characters, narrative structure, historical context, and stylistic devices.

• Detailed vocabulary and grammar explanations are provided to help students build deeper comprehension and improve their writing for Paper 2.

• Cultural and literary significance of each work is explored, helping students prepare strong analytical essays and arguments in exams.

Appendix 2: Prescribed Literary Texts and Films

For Paper 2, students are required to study one work from the list below — either one literary text or one film.

Literary Texts (Simplified Characters)

1. 《一只叫凤的鸽子》 by 曹文轩 (Cao Wenxuan), 2014 – (Short story)
   A touching narrative exploring themes of childhood, love, and emotional healing.

2. 《城南旧事》 by 林海音 (Lin Haiyin) – Selections include:

   • 《惠安馆》

   • 《爸爸的花儿落了》
     These classic pieces evoke the nostalgic memories of a Beijing childhood in the early 20th century.

3. 《故乡》 by 鲁迅 (Lu Xun), 1921 – (9CN02 A Level only)
   A powerful and symbolic short novel from Lu Xun’s renowned collection 《呐喊》(Call to Arms), examining memory, change, and social disillusionment.

Films (Simplified Characters)

1. 《请投我一票》 (Please Vote for Me, Director: 陈为军, 2007)
   A documentary exploring democratic processes through a classroom election in Wuhan, suitable for both AS and A Level.

2. 《天水围的日与夜》 (The Way We Are, Director: 许鞍华 Ann Hui, 2008)
   A quiet, deeply humanistic film portraying life in a Hong Kong housing estate — a portrait of resilience, dignity, and family.

3. 《十七岁的单车》 (Beijing Bicycle, Director: 王小帅 Wang Xiaoshuai, 2001) – (9CN02 A Level only)
   A modern coming-of-age tale set in urban Beijing, exploring social inequality and adolescent identity.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, learners will:

• Understand the plot, characters, and themes of the selected work

• Be able to analyze literary/film techniques and respond critically in written Chinese

• Gain cultural and historical context to enrich interpretation

• Be fully prepared for the Paper 2 essay task, with guided vocabulary and model responses

This course is ideal for:

• Edexcel A Level and AS Chinese students (8CN02 / 9CN02)

• Chinese heritage learners preparing for formal exams

• Teachers seeking multimedia teaching resources

• Independent learners with intermediate to advanced Chinese reading proficiency