Prospectus

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Mandarin 1 Beginners

Course
2014-2015

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 a 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

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • Learners will be familiar with cultural aspects of everyday life in China.

  • 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 acquire 450 vocabulary items.

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: 280 hours (10 EC)

  • Attending classes: 72 hours (6 hrs per week over 12 weeks)

  • Preparing classes, exams and extra activities : 208 hours

Assessment method

  • Class oral assignment 20% (twice per semester)

  • Class dictation test 20%

  • Final Listening exam/Oral exam 20%

  • Final Written exam 40%

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 and writing;

  • Written dialogue;

  • Vocabulary and 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

Literature & Resources:

  • 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 Reading:

  • 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.

Remarks

Passing this course is an additional requirement for a positive Study Recommendation at the end of the year.

Contact

ms. L. Wei, email l.wei@hum.leidenuniv.nl

L. Jiaojiao