Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies.
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies who have passed Mandarin 1 Beginners.
Description
This course aims at the development of communicative skills, with a special focus on listening and speaking skills. The expanding of cultural knowledge about China and its people is an integral part of the course.
Course objectives
Expanding the knowledge acquired in the first semester (with the course Chinese for Beginners, the learner will master basic Chinese grammar constructions and expressions, enabling him/her to handle basic daily conversations.
Learners will acquire communicative skills enabling them to communicate limited information in simple everyday situations. They will be able to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar topics. (roughly corresponding to CEFR A2 level)
Learners will be able to read and understand short, simple texts on familiar matters containing the highest frequency vocabulary. They can also catch the main point in short, clear messages and announcements. (roughly corresponding to CEFR A2 level)
Learners will be familiar with cultural aspects of everyday life in China.
Learners will be able to write 400-450 Chinese simplified characters. They will be able to write simple phrases and sentences relating to areas of immediate need.
Learners will acquire 450-500 vocabulary items. They will master basic Chinese grammar constructions and expressions, which is sufficient for basic daily conversation.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website
Mode of instruction
Three two hour tutorials every week
Attending lectures and tutorials is compulsory. If you are not able to attend a lecture or a tutorial, please inform the tutor of the course. Being absent without notification can result in a lower grade or exclusion from the final exam or essay.
Course Load
Total course load for this course is 10 EC (1 EC = 28 hours), this equals 280 hours, broken down by:
Atending classes(6 hrs per week over 12 weeks): 72 hours Preparing classes, exams and extra activities : 190 hours
Assessment hours (midterms and final exam): 18 hours
Assessment method
•Learning aim: Master the writing system of Mandarin-characters
Assessment: Weekly class dictation tests
Percentage: 20%
•Learning aim: Use of the target language to give a short report
Assessment: the first in-class oral assignment (individual presentation)
Percentage: 20%
•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)
Percentage 20%
•Learning aim: Use of the correct grammar to organize sentences and improve reading capability in Mandarin
Assessment: final writing/reading exam
Percentage 40%
Weighing
Class dictation test 20%
Oral assignment I 20% (mid-term)
Oral assignment II 20% (final speaking)
Final Reading/writing exam 40%
To complete the final mark, please take notice of the following: the final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average.
To pass the course, the average has to be 5.5 at least.
Resit
If the final grade is insufficient (lower than a 6), there is the possibility of a resit.
The resit will be a written exam of two hours, and will test if the students have reached the end level of this semester. This exam consists of the following components:
Reading
Vocabulary
grammar.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used. For tutorial groups: please enroll in blackboard after your enrolment in uSis
Students are requested to register on Blackboard for this course.
Reading list
1) Compulsory Literature
Shaoyang Qi. 2011. Discover China Student’s book two. UK: Macmillan Education. (ISBN: 0230406394)
Jie Zhang. 20111. Discover China Workbook book two. UK: Macmillan Education. (ISBN: 0230406408)
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
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
Remarks
For this course attendance and participation is essential. Classes missed for a good reason have to be discussed with the language instructor BEFORE the class takes place. Frequent absence will inevitably lead to lower participation grades, or denied access to the final exam.
This course uses Integrated communicative language learning method. Therefore active participation in the classroom activities is essential for successful learning outcomes.