Chinese 5 (LL245, 317)
Summary
Level: Advanced
Prerequisite: prior knowledge of Chinese:
- Successful completion of Language Centre Chinese 4 equivalent module
- A B1+level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
- One year or more of intensive study or work in the native speaking countries
- A good A level or equivalent
Main Objectives:
- To further develop linguistic and cultural competence in using Chinese in different social situations
- To enable students to live and work more effectively in the relevant countries.
- To achieve B2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
Credits:
This 30 CREDIT module is also available for 24 CREDITS.
Teaching and learning:
One weekly session for 21 weeks, organised as:
- One weekly two-hour face-to-face class delivered on campus
- Some independent study will also be set
Students will take part in an online exchange with a university in China.
If health & safety restrictions are required, teaching may move online.
Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore for a 30 credit module, the minimum expected amount of study is 300 hours, which averages over 10 hours per week. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required. Students can make use of Moodle to facilitate this.
Assessment:
Term 1: one interim test (10%)
Term 2: listening/culture component assessment (15%)
Term 3: one reading/writing test (40%) + one speaking test (35%)
Tutors:
Yinghong Shang
Course books
- Reading Into a New China: Deciphering a Changing Society. Volume 1 (2nd Ed.) Duanduan Li and Irene Liu. Cheng & Tsui. 2017 (978-1622911257) (core)
- The Advanced Chinese Multimedia Course. Kunshan Carolyn Lee, Routledge, 2010 (9780415-77407-9)
- New Practical Chinese Reader Textbook 4. Xun Liu, Beijing Language and Culture University Press (978-7561913192)
Course Description:
The module will focus on improving the following:
- further developing communicative competence of Chinese to a higher level
- improving fluency and accuracy in both oral and written performances
- communicating effectively in situations ranging from informal conversation to more formal presentation
- using more advanced reading and writing techniques (simplified Chinese characters will be taught and assessed)
- gaining more insights into contemporary life in the Chinese-speaking communities.
Successful completion of Chinese 5 qualifies students to progress to Chinese 6.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- develop competence in a broad range of complex and non-routine language tasks across a wide variety of contexts
- gather accurate information from authentic texts of a variety of registers with an appreciation of literary and non-literary styles
- become more proficient in using a wider range of register and style in speaking
- produce longer essays on contemporary social issues as well as write formal letters in an appropriate manner, using correct characters
- demonstrate further awareness and appreciation of Chinese culture
By the end of the module, students should be able to achieve B2 standard of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).
Syllabus:
Topics
- education and employment
- economics and geography
- popular culture
- social changes
- cultural traditions
Grammar/syntax/lexis
- detached phrases
- complex sentences
- synonyms and antonyms
- slang and colloquial expressions
- set phrases and collocations
Subject-specific and transferable skills
- Written and spoken communication
- Strategies for understanding gist and specific information
- Intercultural Awareness, Professionalism, Digital Literacy, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Critical thinking
Can count towards the Warwick Award
