Edexcel GCE Advanced AS Chinese 8CN02 Written -Core Course

Core Course Overview: Prescribed Literary Texts and Films

(First Exam: 2018 Onward – Edexcel GCE AS/A Level Chinese – Paper 2)

This Core Course offers a comprehensive and structured learning experience centered on the Prescribed Literary Texts and Films for Paper 2: Written Response to Works and Translation, as part of the Pearson Edexcel GCE AS and A Level Chinese qualifications (Paper Code: 8CN0/02).

Designed for students preparing for AS Level Chinese (and foundational study at A Level), the course explains the selected literary and film works in detail, supporting learners with reading, analysis, and writing skills needed to succeed in the written examination.

Paper 2: Written Response to Works and Translation (8CN0/02)

• Written Examination Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

• Total Marks: 60 marks

• Weighting: 30% of the AS Level qualification

• Paper Format:

  1. Translation Task – Translate an unseen English passage into Chinese.

  2. Essay Task – Write an analytical or critical essay based on the study of one prescribed Chinese work, chosen from either a literary text or a film.

Note: The prescribed work must be selected from the official list provided in Appendix 2: Prescribed Literary Texts and Films. The literary texts include short stories and novels, while each film is full-length and thematically rich.

What’s Included in This Course?

To support both students and teachers, the course provides resources in two formats:

Part 1: Reading Mode (Text with Background Music)

• The full literary texts are presented with subtle background music to aid focus and memory.

• Learners can pause the video at any time to read attentively and reflect.

• This section can be used as an in-class reading tool by teachers or for independent study.

Part 2: Explanation and Analytical Support

• Detailed breakdowns of each work’s themes, characters, structure, and stylistic techniques

• Cultural and historical background to deepen understanding of context and author intent

• Focused vocabulary analysis, sample phrases, and grammar patterns to aid essay writing

• Guided commentary to help students formulate strong, well-structured written responses for the exam

Appendix 2: Prescribed Works for Paper 2

Literary Texts (Simplified Characters)

1. 《一只叫凤的鸽子》 (Cao Wenxuan, 2014) – A touching short story exploring childhood and emotional healing

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

   • 《惠安馆》

   • 《爸爸的花儿落了》
     A nostalgic narrative evoking early 20th-century Beijing through the eyes of a child

3. 《故乡》 (Lu Xun, 1921) – (A Level only)
   From the iconic collection 《呐喊》(Call to Arms), a critical look at memory, identity, and societal decay

Films

1. 《请投我一票》 (Please Vote for Me, dir. Chen Weijun, 2007) – A documentary on democracy in a Chinese primary school

2. 《天水围的日与夜》 (The Way We Are, dir. Ann Hui, 2008) – A subtle portrayal of ordinary life and resilience in Hong Kong

3. 《十七岁的单车》 (Beijing Bicycle, dir. Wang Xiaoshuai, 2001) – (A Level only) – A powerful coming-of-age film set against Beijing’s urban divide

Who This Course Is For

• AS Level Chinese students (8CN0) preparing for Paper 2

• A Level students (9CN0) seeking early foundation or revision

• Teachers looking for structured multimedia teaching resources

• Independent learners with intermediate/advanced Chinese language proficiency

Course Benefits

• Deepens cultural and literary understanding through expert explanations

• Enhances writing fluency and exam-readiness with real examples and vocabulary support

• Prepares students for both translation and literary analysis tasks

• Bridges language learning with literature and cinema appreciation