Swire Residential GCSE Mandarin Revision Course
Tuesday 7th April – Thursday 9th April 2026
Welcome
We are delighted to welcome pupils from Leeds, Newcastle, and Oxford to The Queen’s College, one of Oxford’s oldest and most beautiful colleges. For the next few days, this will be your home — a place to learn, explore, make friends, and experience a little of what life at an Oxford college feels like.
This Residential Revision Course, supported by the Swire Chinese Language Foundation, has been created to strengthen your confidence in Mandarin Chinese and help you take a real step forward in your GCSE preparation. Throughout your stay, you will:
• Build confidence in reading, writing, listening, and speaking Mandarin
• Become more secure in the foundations of the language
• Practise exam style questions with expert guidance
• Learn new techniques to help you feel ready for your GCSE assessments
But just as importantly, this course is about enjoying being together, getting to know pupils from across the country, and discovering what it feels like to live and learn in one of the world’s great universities.
We hope you will:
• Make new friends
• Feel part of the Queen’s College community
• Explore the quads, cloisters, gardens, and historic rooms
• Share a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm — 好奇心(hàoqíxīn)
• Leave feeling proud, inspired, and more ambitious for your Mandarin journey
Above all, we want you to have fun, feel supported, and believe in your ability to succeed. In Mandarin, we often say:
加油！ (Jiāyóu!) — “Keep going! You can do it!”
We hope this residential gives you the confidence to aim high, work hard, enjoy every challenge, and achieve the grade you deserve.
欢迎你们！ (Huānyíng nǐmen — “Welcome, everyone!”)
We’re excited to have you here at Queen’s, and we can’t wait to begin.
Finding your way around Queen’s College
The map opposite shows the key parts of The Queen’s College, helping you understand where you will be living, studying, and eating during your stay. Throughout the residential you will be moving through the same spaces used every day by Queen’s College students — we hope you begin to feel at home here.
You will be staying in Carrodus Quad, a modern accommodation block used by Queen’s undergraduates. Think of it as your 小家(xiǎo jiā — “little home”) during the course.
Each morning, you will walk along Queen’s Lane, enter the college through the Main Entrance, and pass through the Porters’ Lodge. From here, you will make your way to Hall, where we will all have breakfast together. Eating in Hall is a special part of life at Oxford; it’s a chance to sit in a historic space, share a meal, and start the day as a community. As we say in Mandarin: 一起开始，一起努力 (yìqǐ kāishǐ, yìqǐ nǔlì — “Start together, work hard together”).
Your lessons will take place in a University College classroom, located just off the Back Quad, a quieter space surrounded by the Chapel, Library, and teaching rooms.
As you move around the college, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful quads, cloisters, and gardens. Queen’s College is a place of learning, friendship, and curiosity — exactly the spirit we hope you bring with you over the next few days.
Map and Key Information
Accommodation
• Carrodus Quad – your rooms during the stay.
Learning Spaces
• Lecture Room A & B in Back Quod – where all your Mandarin revision sessions take place.
Dining & Social Spaces
• Hall – where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served.
• Quads & Cloisters – places to relax and explore
Essential Facilities
• Porters’ Lodge – go here if you need help or have any concerns.
• Main Entrance – where you enter and exit with your teachers.
Your Daily Route
Every morning you will:
1. Leave Carrodus Quad
2. Walk through Queen’s Lane
3. Enter through the Main Entrance
4. Pass the Porters’ Lodge
5. Arrive at Hall for breakfast
Safety & Practical Information
• Wear your lanyard at all times.
• Stay within Queen’s College grounds unless with your teacher.
• Ask for help anytime – the Porters’ Lodge is always open.
• Keep noise low in the evening, especially near accommodation.
• Follow staff instructions, especially on walking routes and meeting points.
Evacuation Assembly Point on Queens Lane – head for the star
Tuesday 7 th April
开始 (kāishǐ), the beginning
Today marks the start of your residential at Queen’s College. You’ll settle in, share your first meal together in Hall, and begin your revision journey with your opening lessons. There’s time to explore the college, meet new friends, and enjoy a special visit to the Bodleian Library’s China collection. This first day is all about arriving, feeling at home, and starting with confidence — 加油！(jiāyóu).
Time Activities Venue
12:00 – 12:30 Registration Queen College (QC) Hall
12:30 – 13:20 Buffet lunch and free time Dining Hall
13:20 – 13:30 Walk to Lecture Room B together Dining Hall
13:30 – 14:00 Welcome opening Lecture Room B
14:00 – 14:30 1st Revision Lesson Lecture Room B
14:30 – 16:30 Visit the China section of Bodleian Library hosted by Dr Mamtimyn Sunuodula and tour of Oxford city Bodleian Library (new building)
16:30 – 16:50 Check in to accommodation QC
16:50 – 17:00 Walk to Lecture Room B together Carrodus Quad’s Yard
17:00 – 18:00 2nd Revision Lesson Lecture Room B
18:00 – 18:50 Tour the college QC
19:00 – 19:50 Dinner Dining Hall
19:50 – 20:00 Walk to Lecture Room B together Dining Hall
20:00 – 21:00 Watch Chinese films (with English subtitle) followed by discussion Lecture Room B
22:00 Sleep
Wednesday 8 th April
努力 (nǔlì), a day of focus
Your first full day at Queen’s is designed to help you deepen your Mandarin skills and build momentum. With several revision sessions, Taiji breaks, shared meals in Hall, and an evening of Chinese karaoke, today balances hard work and cultural enjoyment. Stay curious, stay positive, and make the most of learning alongside others — 一起努力 (yìqǐ nǔlì).
Time
Activities Venue
07:45 Assemble in Yard of Carrodus Quad Carrodus Quad’s Yard
07:45 – 08:45 Breakfast Dining Hall
08:45 – 09:00 Walk to Lecture Room B together Dining Hall
09:00 – 10:00 3rd Revision Lesson Lecture Room B
10:00 – 10:50 Break time: Taiji
College Garden (Drawda Garden)
10:50 – 11:00 Walk to Lecture Room B together College Garden (Drawda Garden)
11:00 – 12:00 4th Revision Lesson Lecture Room B
12:00 – 12:30 Free time QC
12:30 – 13:20 Lunch Dining Hall
13:20 – 13:30 Walk to Lecture Room B together Dining Hall
13:30 – 14:30 5th Revision Lesson Lecture Room B
14:30 – 15:20 Break time: Taiji College Garden (Drawda Garden)
15:20 – 15:30 Walk to Lecture Room B together College Garden (Drawda Garden)
15:30 – 16:30 6th Revision Lesson Lecture Room B
16:30 – 17:35 Free time QC
17.35 – 17:45 Walk to Lecture Room B together Carrodus Quad’s Yard
17:45 – 18:45 Talk on ‘Applying to university’ Lecture Room B
19:00 – 19:50 Dinner Dining Hall
19.50 – 20:00 Walk to Lecture Room B together Dining Hall
20:00 – 21:00 Karaoke – sing along in Chinese Lecture Room B
21:00 Back to Carrodus Quad together Carrodus Quad
22:00 Sleep Carrodus Quad
Thursday 9 th April
成就 (chéngjiù), a day of achievement
On your final day, you’ll complete your remaining lessons, reflect on your progress, and prepare for the journey ahead in your Mandarin GCSE. After breakfast and check‑out, you’ll take part in your last revision sessions and share a final lunch together in Hall. This day is all about recognising how far you’ve come — 做得好！(zuò de hǎo — well done!) — and leaving Queen’s feeling confident, motivated, and ready for the exam.
Time Activities Venue
07:45 Assemble in Yard of Carrodus Quad Carrodus Quad’s Yard
07:45 – 08:15 Breakfast Dining Hall
08:15 – 08:45 Check out the rooms and store all luggage in Lecture Room A Carrodus Quad
08:45 – 09:00 Walk to Lecture Room B together Carrodus Quad’s Yard
09:00 – 10:00 7th Revision Lesson Lecture Room B
10:00 – 10:50 Break time: Taiji College Garden (Drawda Garden)
10:50 – 11:00 Walk to Lecture Room B together College Garden (Drawda Garden)
11:00 – 12:00 8th Revision Lesson Lecture Room B
12:00 – 12:30 Fill in the evaluation forms Lecture Room B
12:30 – 13:20 Lunch Dining Hall
13:20 – 13:30 Walk to Lecture Room B together Dining Hall
13:30 – 14:30 9th Revision Lesson
15:00 Check out and Departure
Lecture Room B
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
As you leave Queen’s College today, remember that every moment of effort, curiosity, and courage you showed here is part of a much bigger journey. Keep learning, keep striving, and keep believing in your potential.
好 记性不如烂笔头。
Hǎo jìxìng bùrú lànbǐtóu.
Meaning: “A good memory is not as reliable as a written note.”
During your stay
To help everyone feel safe, supported, and part of the Queen’s College community, please follow the rules below throughout the residential. These expectations reflect the values of respect, responsibility, and kindness — 礼貌 lǐmào — that we hope you will bring to each day.
During Your Stay
• Wear your lanyard at all times while on site. This helps staff identify you and keep you safe.
• Respect college property and each other. Look after the spaces you use, and treat everyone with courtesy — 客气kèqì.
• Attend all scheduled sessions and arrive on time, ready to learn.
• Follow all safety instructions given by staff. 安全ānquán (safety) comes first.
• Keep noise low after 10pm, especially around accommodation areas.
• Stay within The Queen’s College grounds unless you are with an adult member of staff.
• Report any concerns immediately — you can speak to any member of the course team or the Porters’ Lodge.
• Be polite and considerate to college staff, students, and your fellow participants.
• Ask for help whenever you need it. 随便问 (just ask) suíbiàn wèn — there are no silly questions.
Our Shared Goals
• To help you feel confident using Mandarin every day — 勇敢说中文 ! (yǒnggǎn shuō Zhōngwén — “Speak bravely!”)
• To support you in improving your skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
• To give you space to practise exam style tasks and strengthen your GCSE preparation.
• To help you enjoy life in an Oxford college, make new friends, and build independence.
Things to Look Out for at Queens College
This Eye Spy activity helps you explore Queen’s College, notice its history and architecture, and use real Mandarin words as you move around. Take a moment in each quad, cloister, or corridor to look closely — and enjoy ticking each box as you spot something new.
Queens College Architecture & Spaces
☐ Front Quad – find something big (大 dà) you can describe
☐ Porters’ Lodge – spot the Queens tie and say 你好 (nǐ hǎo) - hello
☐ Back Quad – describe it as 安静 (quiet)
☐ Cloisters – find a shape like 口 (mouth)
☐ Cupola – resembles 山 (mountain)
☐ Library Tower – something tall (高 gāo)
☐ Chapel Doors – find a lucky symbol (福)
☐ The Hall – long tables (长 cháng)
☐ Quad lawns – find something 绿 (green)
☐ A bicycle – describe with 快 (fast) or 慢 (slow)
Coats of Arms, Statues & Carvings
☐ Queens College Coat of Arms – spot the red eagles (红)
☐ Stone carvings – describe as 怪 (strange)
☐ Latin inscriptions – say 古 (ancient)
☐ A carved crown – say 王 (king)
☐ Hall shield – symmetry like 中 (middle)
Inside Queens: Daily Life
☐ Student reading in Library – 学习 (study)
☐ Staircase – compare to tone marks
☐ Dining hall food – name in Mandarin
☐ Pair of doors – something in pairs (双)
☐ Something older than 400 years – describe as 旧 (old)
☐ Something new – 新 (new)
Gardens & Outdoor Objects
☐ Back Quad tree – branch like 木 (tree)
☐ Flowerbeds – name colours in Mandarin
☐ Bench – 坐 (sit)
☐ Sun dial – 日 (sun)
☐ Shadow shaped like 人 (person)