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Chinese 5 (LL245, 317)

Summary

Level

Pre-requisite: 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%)

Tutor

Yinghong Shang:

Course Texts (must be bought by students)

  • 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

By the end of the module, students should 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 also be able to achieve B2 standard of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).

Syllabus

The syllabus will include the following:

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 AwardLink opens in a new window