Admission requirements
none
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, that will be followed by a course in the second semester. The two courses together form an integrated basic language 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.).
Course objectives
Learners will acquire communicative skills enabling them to converse about simple and routine matters.
Learners will be able to read and understand short, simple texts on familiar matters containing the highest frequency vocabulary.
Learners will be familiar with cultural aspects of everyday life in China.
Learners will be able to write 400 Chinese simplified characters (800 after the second course). 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 acquire 450 (900-950 after the second course) vocabulary items. After the second course learners will master basic Chinese grammar constructions and expressions, which is sufficient for basic daily conversation.
Timetable
Six hours per week, cf. the course schedule on the Chinastudies website, Monday and Friday 15-17 p.m, Wednesday 11 a.m -13 p.m.
Mode of instruction
- Seminar course
Assessment method
Class oral assignment 30% (twice per semester)
Class dictation test 10%
Final Listening exam/Oral exam 30%
Final Written exam 30%
Blackboard
Blackboard is used in this course for announcements, an overview of weekly assignments, extra study materials, etc.
Reading list
1) Compulsory Literature
Ding Anqi, Lily Jing, Xin Chen. 2010. Discover China Student’s book one. UK: Macmillan Education. (ISBN: 0-230-40595-9)
Betty Hung. 2010. Discover China Workbook book one. UK: Macmillan Education. (ISBN: 0-230-40638-6)
2) 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
In uSis and via e-mail to the secretariat.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
n.a.
Contact
Remarks
Only students of the specialisations HAC and PSE (MA AS) can be admitted to this course.