Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies.
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.).
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. (roughly corresponding to CEFR A1 level, A2 after the second course)
Visual perception: Learners will be able to read and understand short, simple texts on familiar matters containing the highest frequency vocabulary. (roughly corresponding to CEFR A1 level, A2 after the second course)
Written production: Learners will be able to write 400 Chinese simplified. 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. (roughly corresponding to CEFR A1 level)
Learners will be familiar with cultural aspects of everyday life in China.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website.
Mode of instruction
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 three (3) times.
Course Load
Total course load for this course is 10 EC (1 EC = 28 hours), this equals 280 hours, broken down by:
Attending classes: (6 hours per week over 12 weeks) 72 hours
Preparing classes, exams and extra activities : 202 hours
Assessment hours (exams and other assessment): 6 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 & Participation | 20% |
| Oral Assignment I: Personal Report (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 exams.
Resit
If the end grade is insufficient (lower than a 6), there is a possibility of retaking the full 80% of the exam material (40% Individual Interview; 40% Writing Test). No resit for the tutorial (participation) is possible.
Retaking a passing grade
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2017 – 2018.
Exam review
How and when an exam review takes place will be determined by the examiner. This review will be within 30 days after official publication of exam results.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for tutorial groups. Students are requested to enroll on Blackboard for this course, 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
- 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 can be found here.
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.
Remarks
Passing this course is an additional requirement for a positive Study Recommendation at the end of the year.
This course uses Integrated communicative language learning method. Therefore active participation in the classroom activities is essential for successful learning outcomes.