CHINESE II

Zhou Laoshi

2011-2012 Course Program

Required Texts

  • Wo Ai Xue Zhongwen (I Love Learning Chinese), Vol. II, by Zhang Yuehua and Li Hua.
  • Kelian de Anna (Poor Anna). (Reader). By Dr. Zhang Yuehua. (No need to purchase, available in the classroom).
  • Mali Qu Shanghai (Mary Goes to Shanghai). (Reader). By Tang Yuhong and Dr. Zhang Yuehua. (No need to purchase, available in the classroom).

Description

This course continues and advances the language skills learned in Chinese I. Students participate in daily reading activities, practicing practical conversation skills, and write in Chinese characters. Daily drilling will improve your spoken language skills. Students also prepare a short Powerpoint or other presentation on a Chinese cultural topic of their choice. Students are encouraged to participate in the 2012 Kentucky World Languages Association Festival held in May.

Grading

Quizzes30%

Homework25%

Presentation10%

Midterm Exam10%

Final Exam15%

Participation10%

Syllabus

First QuarterVol. II, Chapter 1; continue Kelian de Anna

Second QuarterChapter 2; begin Mali Qu Shanghai

Third QuarterChapter 3; continue Mali Qu Shanghai

Fourth QuarterChapter 4; continue Mali Qu Shanghai

MayReview and prep for language festival and final exam.

Second year Chinese language students will”

  • Continue to learn fundamental conversational skills in Modern Standard Chinese, utilizing TPR-S and Rassias Method drill techniques
  • Learn at least another 100 simplified written characters
  • Become more familiar with character radicals and phonetics
  • Improve their skill in identifying and pronouncing the four basic tones
  • Master pinyin spelling
  • Improve reading skills
  • Learn to utilize on-line computer applications for the learning of Chinese

In addition, students will be introduced to Chinese culture and history through

  • Weekly classes that will focus on cultural subjects such as tea, games, calligraphy, paper cutting, film, holidays, etc.
  • Projects focusing on cultural topics such as poetry, traditional holidays and history
  • Field trips to Crane House and to events related to China and Chinese culture

Students will be assessed through the following methods:

  • Frequent quizzes
  • Two exams (midterm and final)
  • Weekly written character sheets
  • Homework assignments
  • Periodic notebook assessment
  • Weekly verbal assessment

Students should have in their possession during class the above referenced textbooks and supplies for each class session:

  • Textbooks
  • Dedicated notebook for Chinese language class
  • Pens and/or pencils

In addition, students are required to

  • Make from index cards two sets of flash cards:
  • Vocabulary cards, with Chinese vocabulary words in pinyin and tones on one side and the English meaning on the other
  • Character cards, with a Chinese character on one side and pinyin pronunciation and English meaning on the other

Homework and project assignments will be posted on Edline. Homework will include written exercises, character sheets, cultural projects, etc.

Expectations:

As your teacher, I prepare for each and every class. I expect students to meet the following criteria in order for you to do well in the class:

  • Hand in all assignments on time
  • Finish projects within the prescribed time and hand in or present when due
  • Go over lessons prior to class (preferably the night before) so that you are properly prepared for class
  • Know and memorize all assigned characters, grammatical structures and vocabulary
  • Be prepared for quizzes at any time and to study adequately for major tests

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