Chinese 4 for finalists (LL339)
Summary
Level
Pre-requisite: prior knowledge of Chinese:
- Completed Language Centre Chinese 3 or equivalent levels
- AS level or lower grades of IB or A level
- A B1 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
- 6 months or more intensive study or work in the native speaking countries only
Main Objectives
- To further develop linguistic and cultural competence in using Chinese in various social and study/work-related contexts
- To understand ideas in complex texts
- To produce text on topics on a wider range of topics
- To achieve B1+ and work towards B2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of reference)
- To research, analyze and reflect on cultural contexts
- To enhance their cultural knowledge and intercultural and cross-cultural competencies
Credits:
This 30 CREDITs
Timetable:
- Three-hour face-to-face class on campus +one hour online class
- Some independent study will also be set
- Four online workshops, each lasting ninety minutes, spread across terms 1 and 2
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: one listening test (15%)
- Term 3: one reading （20%） / writing test (15%) + one speaking test (25%)
- Independent project (15%)
Tutors:
Yinghong Shang
Core Texts:
- New Practical Chinese Reader Textbook 3 (2nd Edition), Liu Xun. Beijing Language University Press, 2012. (ISBN:7-5619-3255- 1)
- New Practical Chinese Reader Textbook 4 (2nd Edition), Liu Xun. Beijing Language University Press, 2012. (ISBN: 7-5619-3431-9)
- New Practical Chinese Reader Workbook 3 (2nd Edition), Liu Xun. Beijing Language University Press, 2011. (ISBN: 7-5619-3207-0)
Course Description:
The module will focus on improving the following:
- gaining further consolidating Chinese grammar
- understanding and oral production of natural and authentic linguistic patterns, with more detailed analysis of important words and phrases
- understanding texts on social and study/work related topics
- using more advanced reading and writing techniques
- gaining more insights into social issues and everyday life in China today
- Critically analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, demonstrating enhanced intercultural and cross-cultural competencies
-
Conduct and present independent research into Chinese culture and society
-
Self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and manage resources
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- develop their oral fluency and accuracy in a range of predictable and unpredictable situations
- gather information from authentic texts of a variety of informal and formal genres
- produce reasonably long essays on both social and study/work related topics, using simplified characters
- increase their intercultural knowledge and understanding of contemporary Chinese society
- critically evaluate texts relating to culture and engage where appropriate with scholarly debates
- conduct and present independent research into one area of culture
By the end of the module, students should be able to achieve B1+ standard of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).
Syllabus:
Topics
- food culture in China
- climate and weather
- transport and environmental protection
- loans and consumption attitude
- gender equality
- job opportunities
Grammar
- sentences indicating the existence or emergence of something
- complex conjunctives
- structural particles
- summary of complements and complex sentences
Subject-specific and transferable skills
- written and spoken communication
- strategies for understanding gist and specific information
- intercultural awareness, professionalism, digital Literacy, teamwork, problem-solving
Can count towards the Warwick Award
