Course Information

COURSE OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES:

This is a beginning level course in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) for students with none or little prior experience in the language. Reading and writing the traditional characters will be introduced and practiced from the very beginning of the course. In addition to the training of standard pronunciation, listening comprehension, grammar and conversational vocabulary usage, emphasis will be given to Chinese History and Culture as it relates to each language lesson.

Wong-Avery, Sally (2007). Stroke by Stroke Chinese, Chinese Professional Service. 

• Packet of 100 index cards (3 x 5 in.)
• 3 Ring Binder Notebook

EVALUATION/GRADING:

• Observation of Progress
• Weekly Goals / Modules
• Presentation of in-class projects
• In-class Behavior & Attendance

It only makes sense for this class to take place in a room equipped with computers. However, this can present some problems: it can be very tempting when sitting at a computer to consider IMing, e-mailing, playing games, or looking at various websites unrelated to the course. Some of the consequences are as follows:

• you might not learn Chinese well enough to earn high grades or good scores
• you might not learn an important concept or skill because you are distracted by something
• even if you are following everything very well and are caught up, you might cause those students around you who do need to focus to slack off
• if the instructor or a student is lecturing or walking us through a tutorial, you might hurt their feelings or cause them frustration in not paying attention
• you might be given detention, which is a waste of everyone's time.

ATTENDANCE:*

If you unavoidably miss a class, please make sure you see me to find out what you missed, and be sure to borrow somebody’s notes to get caught up.  If, after review of the notes, you still do not understand, come in and see me for clarification of notes.  If you miss any quizzes or tests, you will be required to make them up immediately when you return.

*For a complete definition of school policies and procedures in relation to Attendance, Excused Absences, Non-sanctioned Absences, and Unexcused Absences see The Student and Parent Handbook, pages 6-7.