Summary

Level:

This module will be offered to students who speak a dialect of Chinese (e.g. Cantonese, Hakka, Shanghai, Min, etc.) in or outside China, but read and write Chinese characters in a very limited way; or to those who speak Mandarin at conversational level, but know very little of reading and writing.

Main Objectives:

To build upon students' existing knowledge and aural skill of the language, the course further develops their oral fluency and accuracy in standard Manadrin Chinese in order to discuss a range of topics in their life and study. It helps students to achieve literacy in reading and writing Chinese characters, understanding texts of a variety of genres. It allows the students to take fast pace to cover the the literacy requirements for Chinese 3 by the end of the study. Simplified Chinese characters will be taught and assessed.

Credits:

This is a 24 or 30 CREDIT module.

Teaching:

3 hours' language classes per week for 21 weeks.

Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore the minimum expected amount of study is 240 hours, which averages over 10 hours per week. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required.

Availability of module:

Available as a day-time module, commencing Week 2, Term 1.

Tutor:

Yinghong Shang

Textbook:

Oh, China!: An Elementary Reader of Modern Chinese for Advanced Beginners, Chih-p’ing CHOU et al, Princeton University Press.(978-0691153087)

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Understand texts dealing with descriptions of events and feelings, everyday life and study

• Develop strategies for understanding gist, specific information and opinions

• Speak Mandarin Chinese with more accurate pronunciation on topics relating to their experiences

• Produce text on topics describing experiences and events and giving reasons for opinions

Course Description:

This module will focus on improving oral fluecy and written accuracy in Mandarin Chinese and practising some reading and writing techniques. It starts with the standard Mandarin pronunciation system, but then almost at the same time of learning a number of characters to produce texts for communicative purposes. Students are encouraged to present one's opinions and participate in discussions in class. The module is based on a selection of the texts in An Elementary Reader of Modern Chinese for Advanced Beginners. The stimulus material (aural, written and visual) not only provides further consolidation of Chinese grammar but also offers students more insights into everyday life and culture in China. The text-book provides written text in both characters and pinyin tones. There are homework and online resources which consolidate and assist classroom learning.

Syllabus:

Communicative functions/topics

Grammatical/lexical content

• set phrases and idioms
• the conditional construction
• complex conjunctives
• structural particles
• summary of complements and complex sentences

Assessment Scheme:

Exam summary and skills weighting: Assessment