Summer Language Institute

California State University, Long Beach and Fullerton

 

CHIN 111-211: Mandarin Chinese for Heritage Speakers

 

CHIN111 section 01 call # 11566 (6/26-7/21)
CHIN211 section 01 call # 11568 (7/24-8/18)

 

Instructors:

Dr. Tim Xie (CSULB) and Dr. Jack Liu (CSUF)

 

Classroom: CHIN111-LA2-208; CHIN211-TBA

Class Hours:  M-F  9:00-12:00

Email:

Xie - txie@csulb.edu

Liu - jinghuiliu@fullerton.edu

Phone:

Xie - ( 562) 985-5278

Liu - (714) 278-2183

 

 

Office:

Xie – FO3-315

Liu – LAB-304

 

Office Hours:

MW 1:00pm-2:00pm

 

 

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Description

 

Mandarin Chinese for heritage speakers is a language course that aims at developing the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) through contextualized presentations, role playing, skits and other communicative activities. The use of authentic materials is followed by practice sessions, group work and individual lab-work. This course provides the opportunity for individual development of cross-cultural communicative competence through frequent interaction within the target language as well as by providing opportunities to gain an awareness of Chinese cultures. By the end of the course, students will be able to read and write approximately 600 Chinese characters, and students can expect to be at the Novice-High/Intermediate-Low level, based on the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL). 

Student Learning Goals and Course Objectives

 

The general goal of this course is to train students “to speak a standard Putonghua, to write beautiful characters and to type Chinese using computers”. Specifically, upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to function in the following areas:

Listening:

Understand sentence-length utterances supported by situational contexts. Comprehend basic needs about getting meals, lodging, and transportation, receiving simple instructions and routine commands. Listening tasks primarily to respond to simple statements and maintain face-to-face conversation

 

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 such as limited numbers of activities dealing with preferences. Ask and respond to statements and direct questions or request for information relied on students’ vocabularies.

 

Reading:

Read texts that focus on the 350 core characters and deal with the basics of everyday life.  Puzzle out public announcements which are written by a native speaker used to dealing with foreigners. Students can identify some supporting details by applying top-down and bottom-up methods.

 

Writing:

Write short messages, postcards, and take down simple notes, such as telephone messages, description, completing a form and write a short email or take simple messages, such as phone call.

 

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 such as education system, popular sports, and discipline on campus.

 

Assessment criteria and grading policy

 

Assessment of student progress in both language development and cultural awareness will be based on class participation, daily homework, culture project as well as oral and written presentations and examinations.

 

Grading

 

1. Participation and classroom performance

10%

2. H2. Homework

10%

3. Oral presentation/ Skit/Project

15%

4. Midterm      

20%

5. Tests

25%

6. Final exam

20%

                       

 

Textbooks

 

Required:

Li, Duanduan, Irene Liu, et al. A Primer for Advanced Beginners of Chinese Volume 1 (Traditional character version) (2003) Columbia University Press, ISBN: 0-231-12555-0.

 

Optional:

Chih-p'ing Chou, Perry Link & Ying Wang (1997). Oh, China! Elementary Reader of Modern Chinese for Advanced Beginners.  Princeton University Press.

 

*Supplementary teaching materials will be presented in class or available online. 

 

Course web site:

 

BeachBoard/Blackboard: Students can communicate with instructors and students, participate in online discussion, submit homework through Digital Drop Box and check grade.

 

http://www.csulb.edu/~txie/111:  Course materials and assignments can be accessed online.

 

 

Course  policy

 

1) Participation

Students are required to attend each class and participate in discussion. Participation is based on attending the full period as well as being active in all class activities. Each absence will result in a 1 point reduction from your entire course grade. Three times coming late and/or leaving early will be recorded as one absence. If you know you have to miss a class, or if unavoidable circumstances occur, you need to let the instructor know as soon as possible. In case you cannot contact the instructor personally, send an e-mail message to the instructor. It’s a good idea to also get a classmate‘s phone number, and ask him/her to get the handouts and/or information handed out on the day you missed to help you keep up-to-date. Please remember that each student’s background, interest, learning style, difficulties and goals are different. Please be patient with each other and do not hesitate to see the instructor for extra help or explanations in certain areas.

 

2) Homework

Students are expected to preview each lesson before class, complete the assigned homework by the day due and study the contents of each lesson outside of class.  Constant practice is an effective way to develop your proficiency and so you are expected to Practice EVERY DAY. This includes listening to conversations, practicing writing new Chinese characters, writing email as well as working with material on the internet. NO HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE WITHOUT A VALID REASON.

 

3) Classroom Conduct

All pagers and cell phones must be turned off before the class begins. Food, chewing gum, and drinks are not allowed in the classroom. As a courtesy to your classmates and the instructor, please refrain from unrelated discussions and business not directly related to the course. Walking out of the room during class time is disruptive. If you know you have to leave the class early, or if unavoidable circumstances occur, you are expected to let the instructor know before the class starts.

 

4) Academic Honesty  

We believe you are an honest student. Cheating, plagiarism, forgery and knowingly furnishing false information in your academic work are grave matters that are subject to discipline. Academic dishonesty can range from an automatic grade of F on an assignment or exam to a grade of F for the entire semester. Please see the university catalog with regard to academic dishonesty.

 

5) Special Needs

During the first week of classes, please inform the instructor of any disabilities or special needs that you have that may require special arrangements related to attending class sessions, carrying out writing assignments, or taking examinations. Students with disabilities need to document the disabilities at the Disable Students Services Office.

 

6) University Withdrawal Policy

It is the students' responsibility to withdraw from classes. Instructors have no obligation to withdraw students who do not attend courses, and may choose not to do so. Withdrawal from a course after the first two weeks of instruction requires the signatures of the instructor and department chair, and is permissible only for serious and compelling reasons, such as documented illness and a change in work hours/schedule. Students should be aware that the definition of "serious and compelling reasons" as applied by faculty and administrators may become narrower as the semester progresses. During the final three weeks of instruction, withdrawals are not permitted except in cases such as accident or serious illness where the circumstances causing the withdrawal are clearly beyond the student's control and the assignment of an incomplete is not practical. Ordinarily, withdrawals in this category involve total withdrawal from the university. The College of Liberal Arts adheres to this policy strictly, and does not sign withdrawal forms in the final three weeks of class for other reasons.