This module is designed as an introduction to the Chinese language for students with no previous knowledge.
The module content follows the Languages Ladder framework, provides student with the basic structures needed at this level, and ensures progression in language ability and proficiency.
Language purposes and functions
- Taking part in simple situations (e.g. greeting/responding to greetings; expressing thanks; apologising)
- Giving simple information
- Asking simple questions
- Following/giving simple instructions
- Expressing ability
- Using numbers and expressing quantity
- Expressing time (e.g. clock, days, months)
Educational Aims
The Module will help students to develop strategies for coping with Chinese in real-life situations. At the end of this module students will be entitled to take Chinese for Beginners II.
Knowledge and understanding: students will gain a deep understanding of
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic grammatical structures of Chinese
- Understand and communicate basic factual information in Chinese, orally and in writing
- Listen to and understand in detail selected short samples of Chinese
- Read short adapted Chinese texts aimed at learners of Chinese
Cognitive skills: students will be able to
- Write short passages in Chinese on a range of practical and descriptive themes
- Extract key information from written and spoken sources
- Express opinions about basic topics of daily life
Subject-specific skills: students will be able to
- Use of basic grammatical structures
- Oral and written communication of factual information in Chinese
- Listen and read short text in Chinese
Transferable skills: students will have practised
- Use relevant reference materials
- Organise their own learning with guidance from the tutor, planning and managing time efficiently to get the most out of independent study
- Use a variety of learning aids, in a variety of media, to consolidate learning
- Work in pairs or groups
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Work independently
Communication in Chinese will be encouraged from the outset. Classes will be conducted mainly in English, enabling students to learn and practise the new grammatical structures and vocabulary covered in each session. In order to develop and consolidate skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, classes will be highly interactive.
The course will consist of two hours per week. In addition, several hours a week should be devoted to Chinese outside the classroom to do work set by the tutor, and practise reading, writing and listening skills.
The module will consist of two contact hours per week.
A minimum of 2 hours a week, in addition to the 2 taught hours, should be devoted to Chinese outside the classroom to complete work set by the tutor, assignments on grammar structures, learn and revise vocabulary and practise reading, writing, and learning skills.
How are the total Learning Hours per module achieved?
| Contact Hours | 20 |
| Directed Learning | 20 |
| Private Study & Assessment | 60 |
| Total | 100 |
10 credits = 100 hours, 20 credits = 200 hours
Feedback will be given through:
Summative Assessment
Students will prepare a topic in advance, by agreement with tutor, for this presentation. They will be able to use one page of A4, containing key words only, to assist with their presentation. The page of notes should be approved beforehand by the tutor.
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2-hour and 20 minute exam (listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading comprehension, and a written composition) (examination period), No dictionary allowed. 80%
Students are advised that all marks obtained in tests are subject to moderation, and that in case of cohort’s averages above the University norms, the group’s results will be scaled according to the list published in the Assessment Handbook for Undergraduate Programmes and on the UWLP website.
Coursebook
Kan, Q. (2009) Colloquial Mandarin Chinese: The Complete Course for Beginners. Routledge.
Grammar books
Yip, P. C. & Don, R. (2009) Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook. Routledge.
Dictionaries
Oxford Chinese Dictionary and Talking Chinese Dictionary and Instant Translator (or equivalent bilingual dictionary).
A list of useful electronic resources is available on Blackboard.
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