Instructor: Keying Wu, Ph.D.
Department of Japanese and Chinese
I. Course Objectives:
This course is to lead you into the fascinating world of the Chinese language,
history, and culture by helping you build a solid foundation in all aspects
of modern standard Chinese, including speaking, listening, reading, writing,
and translating. Proficiency is built upon accuracy and enhanced through
functions such as narration, description, comparison, explanation, and direction.
Tone practices and character writing are regular exercises. Dramatization
and visualization of the texts through situational conversations are the
primary approaches in and outside of classroom, in addition to daily homework.
Your active participation is key to making the learning process effective
and pleasant.
II. Required Textbooks:
Integrated Chinese, Level I, Part 2. By T. Yao, et al. 2005.
(Textbook=TB, Workbook=WB, Character Book=CB)
Oxford Concise English/Chinese Chinese/English Dictionary, and some other
audio/video exercises in the Language Labs.
HyperChinese and other audio-visual materials. Available in the LLC.
III. Evaluation Procedures:
All aspects of your linguistic performance will be given roughly equal consideration. Evaluation will take five forms: class attendance and performance, homework, dialogue memorization, quizzes, and examinations (mid-term and final).
IV. Course Requirements:
Active participation in classroom activities is highly expected. It is essential to keep two hours per day to preview and review each lesson. Another three or more hours per week working with the accompanying language tapes is also necessary. All required exercises from audio/video tapes are available in the Language Lab. The most important, however, is your confidence in yourself.
V. Homework:
Homework varies in format and quantity and is assigned on a daily basis. Pronunciation (through tapes), character writing, translation, and/or dialogue memorization are assigned as needed. Taking advantage of any cultural events in Chinese or about the Chinese language and culture on and off campus is also important, that is, use what you have learned in real life. All written assignments are due before the next class.
VI. Attendance:
It is extremely important to be exposed to the target language on a day-to-day basis. Failure to attend class will affect not only your own progress and final credit, but also our class activities. Emergency is possible, but it is your responsibility to notify the instructors before or after your absence and make up the assignments by all means. Absence of ten sessions will automatically reduce one level of your final grade. Excessive absence will be notified to your Dean and may result in failure of the course.
VII. Individual Conferences and Office Hours:
There will be a 10-20 minute meeting for each student to meet with the instructors on a weekly basis. A timetable shall be worked out within the first two weeks to fit each individual's schedule. The meeting may contain dialogue-acting (in pair), review of assignments, or just chatting. You are also encouraged to take advantage of office hours.
VIII. Chinese Dinner Table and Other activities:
Starting from the second week, Chinese Dinner Table will be held every week. Details about Dinner Table and other events are to be announced.
IX. Quizzes and Examinations:
There are daily quizzes (e.g., on pronunciation, vocabulary, or character) and weekly take-home quizzes (i.e., on each lesson), in addition to the mid-term and final exams that are composed of oral and written parts.
X. General Class Plan: (detailed daily assignments are distributed separately.)
- Focus on new words since many are not new;
- Listen to the tapes and pay attention to the tones, rhythm, and flow of
sentence;
- Read aloud as you go over the dialogues and try to memorize them;
- Spend at least one hour after class each day; split the hour into regular
sections;
- Always come to class and be prepared.
- Practice makes perfect, and joys comes after palm-sweating-and-stomach-sinking.
For more details, please contact the instructor or
logon our Blackboard
.
有志者事竟成