Chinese 03 Chinese for Heritage Students Fall 2008
Amherst College
Instructor: Dr. Weijia Li Email:
Class time: M-F 1-1:50 pm Classroom: Webster 219
Phone: 2126 (office) 413-230-0750 (cell) Office Hours: MW 3 – 4 pm & by appointment Office: Webster 109
Course Description
Chinese for heritage students is designed for students with a Chinese background who have some knowledge of Chinese language and culture already. This course aims at developing the four language skills with special focus on reading and writing through contextualized presentations, role playing and other communicative activities. The use of authentic materials is followed by drill sessions, group work and individual listening practice. This course also provides the opportunity to gain an awareness of Chinese cultures.
Course Objectives
The general goal of this course is to train students to speak a standard Putonghua and to write beautiful characters. Specifically, upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to function in the following areas:
1) Listening: Comprehend basic needs about getting meals, lodging, and transportation, receiving simple instructions and routine commands.
2) Speaking: Make up a brief description about personal information and express personal preference in social situations. Carry on a face-to-face conversation using predictable topics necessary for survival in the culture. Ask and respond to statements and direct questions or request for information relied on students’ vocabularies.
3) Reading/ Writing: Read texts that deal with the basics of everyday life. Write short essays related to real life in correct grammar.
4) Culture: Develop an appreciation of Chinese cultures. Demonstrate an awareness of unique aspects of Chinese cultures. Become aware of some similarities and differences between Chinese and American cultures.
Course materials
Integrated Chinese Second Edition by Tao-Chung Yao, Yuehua Liu, Liangyan Ge, and Yea-Fen Chen. Boston: Cheng & Tsui, 2005 (simplified version recommended)
Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 1, Textbook
Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 1, Workbook
Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 1, Character workbook.
Websites https://cms.amherst.edu/offices/it/teaching_research/resources/languages/chinese
Class Procedure
This class is committed to interactive methods of language teaching.A dictation will be given on the new vocabulary at the beginning of the class. The professor will explain the grammar and dialogue. After that students will do drill sessions on the grammar and dialogue. A quiz will be given on Friday and homework is also due on Friday.
Grade Distribution
1. Attendance and participation / 20%2. Homework / 20%
3. Dictations / 10%
4. Quiz / 20%
5. Mid-term exam / 15%
6. Final exam / 15%
100-94=A / 93-90=A- / 89-87=B+ / 86-84=B / 83-80=B- / 79-77=C+
76-74=C / 73-70=C- / 69-67=D+ / 66-64=D / 63-60=D- / 59-0=F
Course Policy
Students are expected to preview each lesson before class, complete the assigned homework on time.Late homework will lower your grade. No makeup for dictation or quizzes is allowed unless you have class Dean’s, a faculty member or a doctor’s note.
We understand that keeping up with frequent requirements for a Chinese class may be difficult at times. We have therefore made the following policies to have some flexibility.
· We allow each student to submit two assignments late per semester.
· We will drop the lowest quiz and dictation scores.
Course Schedule (subject to change)
1. / Sept. 3-6 / Introduction & Pinyin
2. / Sept. 8-12 / Lesson 1 & Lesson 2
3. / Sept. 15-19 / Lesson 3 & Lesson 4
4. / Sept. 22-26 / Lesson 5 & Lesson 6
5. / Sept. 29-Oct. 3 / Lesson 7 & Lesson 8
6. / Oct. 6-10 / Lesson 9 & Lesson 10
7. / Oct. 13-17 / Lesson 11 & Mid-term Examination
8. / Oct. 20-24 / Lesson 12 & Lesson 13
9. / Oct. 27- Oct. 31 / Lesson 14 & Lesson 15
10. / Nov.3 - 7 / Lesson 16 & Lesson 17
11. / Nov.10 - 14 / Lesson 18 & Lesson 19
12. / Nov.17 - 21 / Lesson 20
13. / Nov.24 – 28 / Thanksgiving Recess
14. / Dec. 1 - 5 / Lesson 21 & Lesson 22
15. / Dec. 8 - 12 / Lesson 23 & Reviews
16. / Dec. 15 - 19 / Final Written Examination
Please feel free to ask me questions or talk about your ideas at any time.
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