Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies programme.
Description
This course aims at the development of communicative skills, with a special focus on listening and speaking skills. The introduction of cultural knowledge about China and its people is an integral part of the course.
This is an elementary course. At the end of the learning period, the learner will be able to understand basic Chinese sentence structures and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate practical and intercultural relevance (e.g. exchange of personal and family information, addressing others, shopping, local geography, etc.). Students will also build a solid foundation on Chinese writing system.
Course objectives
Oral productions & Listening: Learners will acquire communicative skills enabling them to converse about simple and routine matters. They will be able to describe aspects of their personal backgrounds, immediate environments and other matters in areas of immediate need in simple terms.
Reading: Learners will be able to read and understand short, simple texts on familiar matters containing the highest frequency vocabulary.
Written production: Learners will be able to write 400 Chinese simplified words/characters. They will be able to write very simple phrases and sentences about everyday aspects of their environment in linked sentences, take notes of personal information, and compose a simple advertisement.
Learners will be familiar with cultural aspects of everyday life in China.
| Skill | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| Reading | A1 |
| Writing | A1 |
| Listening | A1 |
| Speaking | A1 |
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website.
Mode of instruction
Tutorials
Three two-hour tutorials every week, with the exception of the midterm exam week. Attending all tutorial sessions is compulsory. If you are unable to attend a session, please inform your tutor in advance, providing a valid reason for your absence. Being absent will result in a lowering of the participation grade with 0.5 for every absence after the first five (5) times.
Course Load
Total course load for this course is 10 EC (1 EC = 28 hours), which equals 280 hours, broken down by:
| Component | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Attending classes | 72 hours |
| Assessment hours (exams) | 6 hours |
| Preparing for classes, exams and extra activities | 202 hours |
Assessment method
Assessment
Learning aim: Master the writing system of Mandarin-characters
Assessment: Weekly class dictation tests
Learning aim: Use of the target language to give a short report/ answer the teacher’s short questions
Assessment: the first in-class oral assignment (individual presentation)
Learning aim: Use of the target language to communicate with each other on different topics
Assessment: Second oral assignment (final speaking test, in the form of drama play)
Learning aim: Use of the correct grammar to organize sentences and improve reading capability in Mandarin
Assessment: Final writing/reading exam
Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Class dictation test (10%) & class participation (10%) | 20% |
| Oral assignment I: individual test (mid-term) | 20% |
| Oral assignment II: drama play (final speaking & listening) | 20% |
| Final reading/writing exam | 40% |
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the End Grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of the in-class oral and listening performance, and written exams.
The End Grade needs to be a 6.0 or higher to pass the course.
Resit
If the End Grade is insufficient (lower than a 6.0), there is a possibility of retaking the full 80% of the exam material (exams, quizzes, Midterm Exam and Final Exam). No resit for the tutorial (participation and homework) is possible.
Exam review and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for this course. Students are requested to enroll on Blackboard, but only after correct enrolment in uSis.
Reading list
Compulsory Literature
Ding Anqi, Lily Jing, Xin Chen. 2010. Discover China Student’s book one. UK: Macmillan Education.
Betty Hung. 2010. Discover China Workbook book one. UK: Macmillan Education.
Recommended Literature & Other Sources (e.g. websites, Academic Journals, documentaries etc.)
Claudia Ross, Jing-heng Sheng Ma. 2006. Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar. London: Routledge.
ISBN: 0-415-70010-8
Registration
Enrolment through uSis for Tutorials is mandatory.
Students will be enrolled for Exams by the Administration Office, as long as they have a valid Tutorial enrolment.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
When contacting lecturers or tutors, please include your full name, student number, and tutorial group number.
Please use your University email-address (uMail) when communicating with any person or department within Leiden University.
Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies
Remarks
Passing this course is an additional requirement for a positive Study Recommendation at the end of the year.
This course uses an integrated communicative language learning method. Therefore active participation in the classroom activities is essential for successful learning outcomes.