1 Chinese 001 Elementary Mandarin Chinese (Summer 09) Westmont College Instructor: Qu (Melody) Chen Contact hours per week: Office hours: Email: [email protected] Course Description In this course, you will learn Mandarin pronunciation system, the Chinese writing system, conversation skills and the essentials of grammar and composition in the Mandarin Chinese language. Meanwhile, you will build an understanding of Chinese speaking people and their societies. Course Goals—by the end of the course, you will be able to: • Participate in social conversations in Mandarin • Successfully apply some form-focused instruction to speech • Be familiar with Mandarin pronunciation system and Chinese writing system • Use the essentials of grammar and composition in Mandarin • Appreciate the diversity of culture and have a mutual understanding of the Chinese speaking people and their societies Course Materials Required: Integrated Chinese (3rd edition) Simplified Characters Level 1, Part 1 This is the new edition of the most widely used Chinese textbook among American universities and colleges. It focuses on the development and integration of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) with current vocabulary and contextualized grammar guided by a learner-centered and interactive approach. If also offers useful cultural features and topics. Recommended: Beginner’s Chinese Script (2003) This book is divided into three main parts. Units 1-4 introduce the origins of the Chinese script and explain how characters and words are formed and the basic rules in writing them. Units 5-9 introduce you to real-life situations such as reading menus. Unit 10 explains how to use a Chinese-English dictionary. Other materials will be distributed in the form of handouts. Classroom Policies Regular class attendance is required. In case of excused absences (illness or other extenuating circumstance), a message must reach me before class via email. Four unexcused absences result in the lowering of the final grade by one whole grade. No late assignments are accepted. No tests are rescheduled. Grading Policies 1. Class participation*……………....……..….15% 2. Midterm exam.……….………………....….20%2 3. Final exam.…………….………….…...…...25% 4. Quizzes and homework….…………………40% *Class participation includes: a) completing homework thoroughly before coming to class; b) volunteering, asking questions, responding to the teacher and classmates, participating in pair/group work and whole class discussions. Course Outline Weeks & Themes Learning Objectives & functions Forms & accuracy Culture highlights Week 1 第一周第一周第一周第一周 6/22-6/26 Introduction & Greetings 介绍 问好 1 Learn about the Chinese language 2 Become familiar with basic Chinese pronunciation 3 Know basic information about the Chinese writing system 4 Use common expressions in the classroom and daily life 5 Exchange basic greetings 6 Request a person’s last name and full name and provide your own 7 Determine whether someone is a teacher or a student 8 Ascertain someone’s nationality -The verb 姓 -Qs ending w/ 呢 -The verb 叫 -The verb 是 -Qs ending w/ 吗 -The negative adverb 不 -The adverb 也 -brief geography and history of China -Chinese names Week 2 第二周第二周第二周第二周 6/29-7/3 Family & Dates/ time 家庭 时间 1 Employ basic kinship terms 2 Describe a family photo 3 Ask about someone’s profession 4 Say some common professions 1 Tell and speak about time and dates 2 Talk about someone’s age and birthday 3 Arrange a dinner date -The particle 的 -Measure words -Q pronouns -有 in the sense of “to have” or “to possess” or “to exist” -The usage of 二 and 两 -The adverb 都 -Numbers 0-100 -Dates and time -Pronouns as modifiers and the usage of the particle 的 -The sentence structure of 我请你吃饭 -alternative Qs -Affirmative + negative (A-not-A) Qs (I) -The adverb 还 -Chinese kinship terms -Chinese education system -Chinese calendar -Chinese manner of counting age -Chinese food symbolizing longevity Comment [T1]: Goal 3 Learning the structure of Mandarin will not only help students experiment with new thought processes, it will also help them better appreciate the grammar of the English language. Comment [T2]: Goal 1 Building on the foundation of language acquisition, students will also learn the norms of conversation and common cultural activities of Chinese speaking peoples. Language acquisition through the study of culture broadens students' holistic understanding of people groups.3 Week 3 第三周第三周第三周第三周 7/6-7/10 Hobbies & Visiting friends 爱好 看朋友 1 Say and write the terms for basic personal hobbies 2 Ask about someone’s hobbies 3 Ask friends out to see a movie 4 Set up plans for the weekend 5 Welcome a visitor 6 Introduce one person to another 7 Compliment someone on his/her house 8 Ask for beverages as a guest at someone else’s place 9 Offer beverages to a visitor 10 Briefly describe a visit to a friend’s place -Word order in Chinese -Affirmative + negative (A-not-A) Qs (II) -The conjunction 那(么) -去 + action -Qs w/ 好吗 -The modal verb 想 -verb +object as a detachable compound -一下 and 一点(儿) moderating the tone of voice -adjectives as predicates -the preposition 在 -the particle 吧 -the particle 了 -the adverb 才 -Chinese way of “splitting” the check -Chinese pastimes -Chinese civilities upon meeting for the 1st time -Chinese tea Week 4 第四周第四周第四周第四周 7/13-7/17 Making appointments & Midterm Review 约时间 期中复习 1 Answer a phone call and initiate a phone conversation 2 Set up an appointment w/ a teacher one the phone 3 Ask for a favor 4 Ask someone to return your call 5 Review Week 1-4 6 Midterm exam -the preposition 给 -the modal verb 要 -the adverb 别 -time expressions -the modal verb 得 -directional complements -Chinese phone etiquette -Chinese phone numbers -Chinese names for the Chinese language Week 5 第五周第五周第五周第五周 7/20-7/24 Studying Chinese 学中文 1 Comment on one’s performance on an exam 2 Comment on one’s character writing 3 Talk about one’s experience in learning Chinese vocabulary and grammar 4 Talk about one’s study habits 5 Remark on typical scenes from one’s language class -descriptive