Languages may not be loved Platonically; one must live in and with them before one may venture to form opinions about them. Georg von der Gabelentz (1840-1893), Sinologist.
The learning process is this class should be, and will be, effective and pleasant.
But to do so, we should have: No food or eating in class! No English during drills! No use of phone by all means! No going out of classroom during class except for medical emergency!
To learn Chinese is a tough but gusty decision,
a challenging but rewarding journey.
Mistakes and difficulties in learning a language are often resulted from lacking
cultural knowledge and communication.
After all, a language is but an expression of the culture.
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 I. By T. Yao, et al. 2005.
Second Edition. Use of LLC.
(Textbook=TB, Workbook=WB, Character Book=CB)
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 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 starts.
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 instructor on a weekly basis, except the first and last week. A timetable shall be worked out within the first two weeks to fit each individual's schedule. The meeting may contain dialogue-enacting (in pair), review of assignments, or just chatting. You are also encouraged to take advantage of office hours.
VIII. Chinese Lunch Table and Other activities:
Lunch Table is from 11:30 to 12:30 on Fridays at Goudy Commons. This the time when we can chat about everything in Chinese! Your participation will become your unforgettable pleasant memories. A series of lectures and workshops will be announced later.
IX. Quizzes and Examinations:
There are quizzes (e.g., on pronunciation, vocabulary, or character) on a weekly basis, along with weekly take-home review quizzes, 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.
This course is offered in the Fall semesters. For details,
please contact the instructor or log in our
Blackboard .
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