Second-Year Chinese

Chinese 201, 202, 203

Teaching Materials:

1. Integrated Chinese-Textbook: Level 2
2. Integrated Chinese-Workbook: Level 2
3. Oxford Chinese-English; English-Chinese Dictionary

Language Learning Tools (In the Language Lab)

1. CDs and audio tapes of Integrated Chinese (for both the Textbook and the Workbook)
2. Films (video) and study guides:
   • "Man, Woman, Eat, and Drink"
   • "Under the Bridge"
   • Other films related to the textbook materials
3. Chinese Websites and Chinese software:
   •  Chinese Yahoo
   •  Chinese Learning Tools
   •  Exercises for IC
   • Microsoft Word 2000

Objectives:

Students are expected to gain intermediate proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating Chinese.

1.  Aural Skills: The ability to distinguish the sounds and tones of spoken Standard Chinese (also knows as pu3tong1hua4 or Mandarin); ability to comprehend short speeches, dialogues and stories.
2. Oral Skills: The ability to respond to questions and to initiate dialogues; ability to narrate, to describe, and to compare different situations with correct tones and intonation.
3. Reading Skills: The ability to read variety of short speeches, dialogues, and stories; ability to use a dictionary to expand vocabulary and to determine meanings of words in context.
4. Writing Skills: Knowledge of the stroke order and formation of Chinese characters; ability to write all characters learned in the texts (simplified forms are required, however, students, especially those who intend to study advanced Chinese, are encouraged to learn the traditional forms); ability to write sentences, paragraphs, and essays that use materials learned in texts.
5. Translation Skills: Recognition of the basic word order and grammatical patters in Chinese; awareness of differences between English and Chinese sentence structures and common expressions; ability to find equivalent expressions; ability to use a Chinese/English and English/Chinese dictionary.

Requirements and Evaluation:

Requirements:

• Before coming to class, prepare the material to be covered on that day (i.e. memorize vocabulary, write characters, listen to audio tapes, go through text and reading material, and do homework)
• Chinese is the ONLY language used in classes.

Students will be evaluated on the basis of participation and proficiency.  In Class, students should try to speak Chinese as much as possible. Grades are based on the following:

• Unit exams  (35%)
• Unit dictations (10%)
• Class participation* (15%)
• Assignment (workbook, handouts & essays) (20%)
• Oral presentation (10%)
• Final exam (10%)

*Class participation will be graded on a four point scale, according to the following basic criteria. Half-point fractional increments are also used (e.g. 3.5)

•   4 points -- well-prepared, excellent performance
•   3 points -- well prepared, good performance
•   2 points -- some evidence of preparation, but at least one major problem
•   1 point -- present but unprepared
•   0 point -- absent

NOTES: Make-up exams will be given only in the case of excused absences. Three or more  absences could result in the lowering of the student's grade by one full letter grade.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

You will be scheduled at least two individual sessions with the instructors discussing your performance and progress in this class. If you have questions, be they regarding the course, your progress or the language itself, please come to see the instructors during their office hours or by appointment.

Good Luck!