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Department of the Languages and Cultures of China and Inner Asia

Chinese 101: Elementary Modern Chinese Language 1

Course Code:
155901217
Unit value:
1
Year of study:
Year 1
Taught in:
Full Year
The first year course consists largely of acquisition of basic modern Chinese (putongua) through attention to the spoken forms of the language and to their written equivalents. There are grammar introductory classes, tutorials, drill and conversation classes. The written language is first studied in the traditional full forms of the characters, the simplified forms being phased in during the second term.

Prerequisites

This course is designed for ab initio learners as well as for beginners up to the GCSE Chinese (i.e. approx. 500 characters) level.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

At the end of the course, a student (ab initio beginner) should achieve a working knowledge of 800-900 characters and of basic grammar and sentence patterns. Advanced beginners should have a working knowledge of 1200 characters. All students should be familiar with and be able to read those characters in both writing systems (traditional and simplified).

Workload

Total 22 weeks of teaching with 7 hours of class contact per week

Scope and syllabus

There are grammar introductory classes, tutorials, drill and conversation classes. The written language is first studied in the traditional full form characters, simplified forms being phased in during the second term. 

Method of assessment

One three-hour written examination (70%) taken in May/June, two mid-term tests (5% each) and two end of term tests (5% each) total (20%) and homework (10%).

Suggested reading

  • Colloquial Chinese P C T’ung and D E Pollard (Routledge 1982)