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Regular version of the site
Bachelor 2020/2021

Chinese Language: Basic Course

Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Area of studies: Foreign Regional Studies
When: 2 year, 1-4 module
Mode of studies: offline
Instructors: Zhuizi Go, Nina Rogova, Yulia Seliverstova
Language: English
ECTS credits: 22
Contact hours: 648

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Chinese Basic Course II is a continuation of Chinese Basic Course I. This course introduces students to more challenging standard Mandarin Chinese language material in order to establish a solid foundation for the use of the language. It aims at helping students to develop further a practical, learner-centered, and enjoyable language and culture learning experience. This course will continue to systematically build the students’ abilities in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing so that they can reach a higher level of competence. Through a wide range of learning activities such as daily dictation, oral and written tests, recalling of conversation, story-telling, dialogue construction, presentations, the course focuses students toward further improving their pronunciation and tones; learning new grammar patterns; and applying the grammar and vocabulary learned. Additionally, the course will integrate Chinese culture into language learning to enhance the understanding of cultural influence on the language. After taking this course, learners will expand their oral expression abilities, improve understanding of grammar concepts, will be able to combine or recombine learning materials to talk about familiar topics pertaining to their daily lives (e.g. family, work, recreation, and interests) and also gain knowledge of Chinese cultures and customs. Chinese audio-visual materials, simulated conversations in life situations, and authentic reading materials will be used to facilitate appropriate language use and develop proficiency. At the end of the course students will achieve B1 level according to the CEFR.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • continue to master the standard sound system and acquire correct pronunciation and tones
  • continue to develop basic communication skills at “survival” level
  • continue to acquire some commonly used idiomatic expressions
  • to use more complex grammatical constructions
  • learn to describe or narrate one’s past experiences, current condition, and future plans; express affirmation and refusals, personal opinions, make suggestions, and so on
  • continue to gain concrete knowledge of Chinese customs and manners, geography, shopping conventions, and major holidays in Chinese-speaking countries
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Beijing and Shanghai”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Seasons and Weather”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Visiting an Exhibition”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Consulting a doctor. Traditional chinese medicine”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Travelling on vacation”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Going to the bookshop”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Attending a Chinese wedding”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Chinese New Year: Customs & Traditions”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Travelling by plane”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Visiting Peking opera”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Going on a mountain climbing trip”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Ordering food in restaurant”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Planning vacation”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Hosehold problems”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
  • After studying this topic, students shoud be able to demonstrate: an improved vocabulary and pronunciation related to the topic “Chinese lucky numbers”; ability to write correctly new characters; ability to use grammatical constructions correctly.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Beijing and Shanghai
    This lesson gives students the opportunity to find out more about Beijing and Shanghai. Students will have the chance to read about this two cities and find out a little about the differences of Beijing and Shanghai.
  • Seasons and Weather
    In this topic, students will learn about the weather of the four seasons. They will be able to identify the four seasons and describe different events that happen in each. Students will review vocabulary and apply this knowledge to create a weather forecast.
  • Visiting an Exhibition
    In this topic, students will learn basic vocabulary related to visit the exhibition.
  • Consulting a doctor. Traditional chinese medicine
    In this topic, students will learn basic vocabulary related to visit the doctor; some vocabulary for the human body; how to ask about and describe one’s health; learn the common procedures of visiting a doctor in Chinese hospitals; answer a variety of questions from patients as a guiding nurse.
  • Travelling on vacation
    In this topic, students will learn words and phrases related to travelling; learn how to talk about travel plans. Activity: Planning a short trip to a specific location based on different traveler types.
  • Going to the bookshop
    In this topic, students will learn words and expressions related to the bookshop and the library; learn how to express capability and possibility.
  • Attending a Chinese wedding
    In this topic, students will learn words and expressions related to wedding and wedding traditions in China, learn how to talk about gifts and presents. Students practise making small talk at a wedding and share secrets and do some gossiping. Language point: expressions to use for telling a secret or registering surprise, family vocabulary; rhythm and stress when giving important information.
  • Chinese New Year: Customs & Traditions
    In this lesson, students discuss how they celebrate New Year, and read about some typical celebrations in China, as well as looking at New Year’s resolutions and reflecting on what makes a year good or bad.
  • Travelling by plane
    In this lesson, students will listen to someone checking in at an airport. They will predict vocabulary, listen to the conversation and role-play the dialogue to practise their speaking skills. There are also suggestions for developing the theme of travel to practise specific areas of grammar.
  • Visiting Peking opera
    In this lesson, explore the history and characteristics of Peking Opera, and learn about roles found within it.
  • Going on a mountain climbing trip
    In this topic, students will learn vocabulary related to travel and adventure; will develop reading skills; will practise speaking skills.
  • Ordering food in restaurant
    In this topic, students will learn how to order food in restaurant. They will learn some basic vocabulary and phrases used in ordering food at restaurants. Students will learn something about foods and restaurants from different cultures. Students will also get a chance to have fun making their own menus and practice ordering.
  • Planning vacation
    In this topic, students will learn how to describe and respond to questions about their travel plans, including where, why, how, when, with whom, how long and how much it will cost. Students ask these questions to find out about the travel plans of their Chinese 'study buddy' and compare them with their own.
  • Go to the police when you are in trouble
    In this lesson, students learn how to describe a variety of household problems, including leaking pipes, carpet stains, power cuts, blocked toilets, mislaid keys, etc.
  • Chinese lucky numbers
    In this topic, students will learn what numbers in China traditionally associated with fortune. Students will learn how to express big numbers.
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Gcumulative
  • non-blocking Gexam
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (2 module)
    0.6 * Gcumulative + 0.4 * Gexam
  • Interim assessment (4 module)
    0.6 * Gcumulative + 0.4 * Gexam
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • McNaughton, W., & Fan, J. (2013). Reading and Writing Chinese : Third Edition, HSK All Levels (2,633 Chinese Characters and 5,000+ Compounds) (Vol. Third edition). Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1568742
  • William McNaughton. (2015). Reading & Writing Chinese Simplified Character Edition : (HSK Levels 1 - 4). North Clarendon, UNITED STATES: Tuttle Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1568914

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Claudia Ross, Baozhang He, Pei-Chia Chen, & Meng Yeh. (2018). Modern Mandarin Chinese : The Routledge Course Textbook Level 1. [N.p.]: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1761722
  • Ross, C. (2010). Modern Mandarin Chinese : The Routledge Course Workbook Level 1. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=582544
  • Sam Brier, & Xia Lu. (2014). Chinese Phrase A Day Practice Volume 1 : Includes Downloadable CD. [N.p.]: Tuttle Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1568040