CHI2210

Intermediate Chinese, part 1

Robert Irving

8 points - 5 hours per week - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: A pass in CHI1120 or CHI1122 or equivalent

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should have developed a preliminary understanding of the basic syntax of modern standard Chinese and of the similarities and differences between it and English; knowledge of a grammatical framework with which to analyse and describe the vernacular Chinese under study facilitating progression to later study of formal written Chinese; the ability to read simple modern vernacular texts; basic translation skills; oral/aural skills necessary to communicate quantitatively and qualitatively in a range of everyday, practical situations; cultural (socio-political) knowledge to enhance understanding of the texts under study and the cultural sensitivity to communicate using appropriate levels of formality with Chinese from mainland China, Taiwan and various parts of the Chinese diaspora.

Synopsis Intermediate spoken and written standard Chinese. In addition to regular classroom activities, listening and reading skills will be further developed through the use of audio/visual and computer-assisted language learning materials.

Assessment Weekly homework exercises and one translation assignment (500 words): 20% - Examinations (3 hours): 50% - Aural/oral tests and class performance: 30%

Prescribed texts

Liu Xiaoqi and others A new perspective: Context, function and structure in teaching Chinese vols 1-3, Beijing UP, 1995
Zhang Yajun and others Spoken Chinese 900 Shanghai Education Press

Recommended texts

Beijing Language Institute (ed.) Concise English-Chinese Chinese-English dictionary OUP/Commercial Press

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