CHNS 111: Intensive Introductory Modern Chinese

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Instructor: Jianhua Bai bai@kenyon.edu (ASC 112, 427-5530)
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00, M.W. 2-4:00 M.T. W. and by appointment
Schedule: 10:10-11:00 (MTW) 9:40--11:00 (Thur.)
AT Classes

Required Texts:
Integrated Chinese, Level 1, Part 1 (IC) by Liu, Yao et al.
Integrated Chinese Workbook, (ICW) Level 1, Part 1
Integrated Chinese Character Workbook, (ICCW) Level 1, Part 1
Concise English-Chinese, Chinese-English Dictionary

Access the audio files
http://eres.library.denison.edu/eres/default.aspx
In the search box on the front page, type in Bai, and click on Search. Then Click on the course number: KEN-CHNS111Y. Enter the password and click on Accept.

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Review Guide for:

Week 1

 Week  2  Week 3  Week 4

Week 5

 Week 6  Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

     

Click here to go to a web site to practice your sounds and tones.

Click here to go to a USC webpage to practice chracters.

Click here to go to a web site to use flashcards to practice characters.

Click here to do more exercises.

Click here for another web site to practice sounds and tones.

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Course Description
This is the basic introductory language course in Modern Standard Chinese (Putonghua). This course will develop students' basic communicative competence in the Chinese language and their understanding of the Chinese culture. Throughout the course, students develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills across the three communicative modes: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. In the first semester, the pronunciation and some basic grammar will be taught. The bulk of in-class work will be devoted to developing oral and aural skills. There will also be an introduction to the Chinese writing system.

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Weekly Routine
1. Explanation
    The instructor will introduce and explain the content. Content here refers to the communicative tasks and the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural information that are required for accomplishing the communicative tasks specified. In order to ensure effective instruction and learning it is crucial that everyone prepares well before class: learn the new words, go through the texts and listen to the tape-recordings of the chapter at least once. It is a good idea to work in pairs or small groups.

2. Practice
    A foreign language is acquired only as a consequence of using that language. The purpose of the practice classes is to build each week's new material into an increasingly versatile proficiency. Practice is the most important activity in this course. Every minute is valuable to you. Every class meeting contributes, cumulatively, to the attainment of your personal objective.
    To practice means to interact with all others in the class. Therefore active participation in the practice class activities is essential for our success in this course. In addition to the practice classes you will also have regular home assignment, either paper-pencil or on the computer.

3. Homework
You should  start on the writing of characters late Monday and submit the completed character workbook on Thursdays. Start the rest of the sections of the workbooks by Tuesday and turn them in during class on Mondays. Homework submitted late will earn no credits.

4. Evaluation
    Evaluation provides each student multiple opportunities to demonstrate incremental skill development over discrete segments of material. It provides feedback for both  teaching and learning. Each weekly evaluation is cumulative, including all previous material plus the most recent week's new material.

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Assignments and Evaluation
    The final letter grade assigned represents the judgement of the following aspects:
    1. Weekly evaluations 55%.
        ---the weekly quiz=15 points (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
        ---class participation=20 points (3 points for each day, M. T. W and 3.5 for Thur.; 2.5 for each AT class)
        ---assignments=20 points (Characters 5, Listening 5, Reading, 5 and Writing 5, due every Monday. Late work will be corrected, but will earn no credits.)

    2. Two examinations: Mid-term (10/13) 20%; Final (8:30-10:30, Dec.15) 25%.
Each examination will consists of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

MLL Department Attendance Policy: In accordance with College regulations governing class attendance as published in the Student Handbook, we permit one absence per weekly meeting per semester. This means that in a course which meets five times a week five absences per semester are allowed. We urge you not to absent yourself unnecessarily from your language or literature classes (including AT classes). If you cut more than the allowable maximum, you will receive an attendance warning in writing with copies being sent to the Dean of Students and the Academic Dean. Continued cutting may result in a lowered grade or, in excessive cases, in your dismissal from the course.

Guidelines for Preparing the Speaking Evaluation

The criterion for evaluating your speaking performance is to see how well you can accomplish the specified communicative tasks that require the following.  1) Good pronunciation and intonation (a good way for preparing for this is to listen to the tapes in addition to participating in the AT classes). 2) Correct use of vocabulary and grammatical patterns (A good technique is to practice the patterns with a classmate and correct each other whenever necessary). It is easy to read and understand the explanation in the text, but UNDERSTANDING the notes cannot ensure your accurate USE of the vocabulary and grammatical patterns). 3) Fluency, which does not equal speed; a fluent conversation should be natural, interactive and meaningful. 4) Quantity, which means you should always try and use as many as you can of the words and grammatical patterns we have learned so far.

   Guidelines for Preparing the Reading and Writing Evaluation

The criterion for evaluating your reading and writing is to see how well you can recognize the learned characters and how well you can use them in writing to communicate. Some of the test items will include 1) a dictation, 2) using words in your own sentences, 3) complete unfinished sentences, 4) put words into correct and meaningful orders, 5) read a passage and answer questions about the passage, 6) the formats that you find from the IC Workbook.

Some of the useful learning techniques include 1) the use of flash cards. 2) Semantic map, putting semantically similar words together on one page for effective memorization. For instance you can put words about family together. 3) Learning to relate to the parts of the new words to the parts of words that you already know. 4) Reading and listening repeatedly to the lessons. 5) Sentence Anagram: taking the sentence apart into different phrases and put the parts back together into meaningful sentences.  6) Talking to yourself such as composing interesting dialogue that systematically recycle the words that you have learned.
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Chinese Table
    Students and teachers of Chinese have dinner together every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 downstairs of Pierce Dining Hall..

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Calendar for Week One
Dates During-class Activities Post-class Tasks
8/25 Intro. to the course
Chinese sounds and tones and learn to say "hi."		  
8/29 Intro. to the course
Chinese sounds and tones and learn to greet each other		 Read IC pp1-17
8/30 Sounds and tones Practice
Learn to say "goodbye"		  
8/31 Sounds and tones Practice
Chapter 1		 Start ICW (workbook)
9/1 More practice of tones and sounds
Learn to greet each other and describe oneself.
Introduction to the writing system and more speaking practice.		 Practice writing of characters of IC1 and do listening, reading and writing exercises of ICW.
9/5

Review and a trial speaking quiz

 .

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Daily Schedule of IC 2
Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
9/6 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC 2.
Listen to the first dialogue once.		 Review of IC 1: greeting, names, nationalities, saying good bye, etc.
The first half of IC 2: talking about families		 Character practice (first half) of ICCW, 
Practice the dialogue.
9/7 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 2.
Listen to both dialogues of IC 2.		 Review of the first part of IC 2: talking about family members
Second half of IC 2: taking about family and profession/occupations.		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.
Character practice (second half) of ICCW, 
9/8 Study IC2 and come to class with questions if you have any. Recycle/practice IC 2
Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 2		 Reading and writing exercises of Part Two of ICW.
Do Listening exercises of IC 2
9/12 Listen to the text untill you can understand the dialogue without looking at the book.

Talking about Families: pattern drills, vocabulary exercises and role play.

Comprehensive review and a trial written quiz

Review of IC 2

Study the new words of IC 3.

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Daily Schedule of IC 3
Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
9/13 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC 3.
Listen to the IC3 dialogue once.		 Review of IC 2: greeting, names, nationalities, family, etc.
First half of IC 3: "Inviting someone out for dinner." 
Learn more numbers and days of the week		 Character practice, first half of ICCW
Practice the dialogue.
9/14 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 3.
Listen to both dialogues of IC 3.		 Review of the first part of IC 3
Second half of IC 3: asking time and etc.		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.
Character practice, second half of ICCW.
9/15 Study IC3 and come to class with questions if you have any. Recycle/practice IC 3
Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 3		 Reading and writing exercises of Part Two of ICW.
9/19 Listen to the text untill you can understand the dialogue without looking at the book.

A role play that integrates IC1-3
Listening activities of ICW

Comprehensive review and a speaking quiz

Review of IC 3
Do Listening exercises of IC3

Study the new words of IC 4.

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Daily Schedule of IC 4

Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
9/20 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC4.
Listen to the IC4 dialogue once.		 Review of IC 3: greeting, nationalities, family, telling times, inviting etc.
First half of IC 4: "talking about hobbies." 		 Character practice, first half of ICCW
Practice the first dialogue.
9/21 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 4.
Listen to both dialogues of IC 4.		 Review of the first part of IC 4
Second part of IC 4: talking about family and hobbies		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.  
Character practice, second half of ICCW.
9/22 Study IC 4 and come to class with questions if you have any. Recycle and practice the grammar of IC 4
Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 4		 Reading and writing exercises of Part Two of ICW.
9/26 Listen to the text untill you can understand the dialogues without looking at the book. Review of IC4
A role play that integrates IC1-4
Listening activities and Comprehensive review and a written quiz		 Reciew of IC4
Do Listening exercises of IC 4 and Study the new words of IC 5

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Daily Schedule of IC 5

Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
9/27 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC 5.
Listen to the IC5 dialogue once.		 Review of IC 4: greeting, family, telling times, inviting, hobbies and etc
Part 1 of IC 5: "visiting friends" 		 Character practice, part 1 of ICCW
Practice the first dialogue
9/28 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 5.
Listen to both dialogues of IC 5.		 Review of the first part of IC 5, visiting-friends protocol
The remaining part of IC 5: narrating, telling a story etc.		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.
Character practice, second part of ICCW
9/29 Study IC 4 and come to class with questions if you have any. Recycle/ practice IC 5

Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 5		 Reading and writing exercises of Part Two of ICW.
10/3 Listen to the text untill you can understand the dialogues without looking at the book. Review of IC5
A role play that integrates IC1-5
Listening activities of ICW5 and Comprehensive review and a speaking quiz		 Review IC5

Do Listening exercises of IC5

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Daily Schedule of IC 6
Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
10/4 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC 6.
Listen to the IC6 dialogue once.		 Review of IC 5: visiting, and talking about family,  hobbies etc.
Pp 109-112 of IC 6: "making a phone call/appointment" 		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.
10/5 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 6.
Listen to both dialogues of IC 6.		 Review of the first part of IC 6
Finish  IC 6: appointments, asking for help etc		 Reading and writing exercises of Part Two of ICW.  
Character practice
10/6 Study IC 6 and come to class with questions if you have any. Review Revew of IC6
    Reading Days Review for Mit-term

Daily Schedule of Midterm Review

Date During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
10/10-11 Finish IC6 Character books due
10/12   Mid-term speaking Evaluation Review
10/13 and 17

Review: the grammar of IC 6 such as "directional compl". Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 6 and writing "auto-biographies" (learning chinese word processing.

Mid-term written exam Monday, Oct. 17
Click here for the review guidlines.

Prepare for IC 7

 


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Daily Schedule of IC 7

Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
10/18 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC 7.
Listen to the IC7 dialogue once.		 Review of greeting, family, telling times, inviting, hobbies, making appointment and etc.

New dialogue: "studying Chinese" 		 Character practice is optional from now-on. 
Practice the first dialogue.
10/19 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 7.
Listen to both dialogues of IC 7.		 Review of the first part of IC 7, talking about studies and daily routine
Do the second dialogue of IC 7		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.  
10/20 Study pp 133-137 of IC 7 and come to class with questions if you have any. Recycle and practice the grammar of IC 7
Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 7		 Reading and writing exercises of Part Two of ICW.
10/24 Listen to the text until you can understand the dialogues without looking at the book. Pattern drills, vocabulary exercises of IC7
A role play that integrates IC1-7
Listening activities of ICW7. Comprehensive review and a speaking quiiz.		 Review of IC 7
Do Listening exercises of IC7
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Daily Schedule of IC 8
Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
10/25 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC 8.
Listen to the IC8 dialogue once.		 Review of IC 7: how well people do things and etc.
First part of IC 8: "talking about school life" 		 Practice the first part and Listen to IC8.
10/26 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 8.
Listen to both dialogues of IC 8.		 Review of the first part of IC 8
2nd dialogue of IC 8 "writing a letter"		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.  
10/27 Study the lesson again and come to class with questions if you have any. Recycle and practice the grammar of IC 8
Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 8		 Reading and writing exercises of Part Two of ICW.
10/31 This is an extra class to make up one for the week of Nov. 15 Comprehensive review and a written quiz  
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Daily Schedule of IC 9
Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
11/1 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC 9.
Listen to the IC9 dialogue once.		 Review of IC 8
The first dialogue of IC 9: "shopping" 		 Listen to IC9.
Practice the dialogue.
11/2 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 9.
Listen to both dialogues of IC 9.		 Review of the first part of IC 9
2nd dialogue of IC 9 "buying shoes"		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.  
11/3 Study the lesson again and come to class with questions if you have any. Recycle and practice the grammar of IC 9
Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 9		 Reading and writing exercises of Part Two of ICW.
11/7 Listen to the text until you can understand the dialogue without looking at the book. Pattern drills, vocabulary exercises of IC9
Roleplay of shopping. Comprehensive review and a speaking quiz		 Review of IC 9
Do Listening exercises of IC9
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Daily Schedule of IC 10
Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
11/8 Study and learn the new words of the first half of IC 10.
Listen to the IC10 dialogue.		 Review of IC 9 "shopping"
IC 10 : the "weather stuff" 		 Listen to IC10.
Practice the dialogue.
11/9 Study and learn the new words of the second half of IC 10.
Listen to both dialogues of IC10.		 Review of the first part of IC 10
2nd dialogue of IC 10		 Reading and writing exercises of Part One of ICW.  
11/10 Study the lesson again and come to class with questions if you have any. Recycle and practice the grammar (comparison) of IC 10
Practicing reading and writing of the characters of IC 10		 Review of IC 10
Do Listening exercises of IC10
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Daily Schedule of IC 11
Date Pre-class Work During-class Activities Post-class Assignments
11/14,15, 16 Finish IC 10 and review Review of IC 9 and 10
  		 
Practice the dialogue.
11/17 Review of IC 9 and 10
.		 Written quiz (up to IC 10) Study the last lesson.
11/19--27 Happy Fall Break!   No homeworkJ

Daily Schedule of the Last 3 Weeks of Classes

     
11/28--12/1 Complete the last chapter of the semester: "at the library" .
Stories and review. Class activities include practicing new words and sentence patterns, story retelling, role play and etc. Not all the new words are glossed, so it is a good idea to carry your dictionary around for these classes.		  
Role-play
Written exercises (handouts)
12/5-8

Last week of classes

Final Speaking Assessment (see test guidlines): each pair will have 15 minutes for this comprehensive cummulative test. This is 20% of the final exam.

Listening, reading and writing Reviews (handouts)
Stories: we will learn a story this week; class activities include practicing new words and sentence patterns, story retelling, role play and etc. Not all the new words are glossed, so it is a good idea to carry your dictionary around for these classes.

 

 

Listening to tapes and do reading and writing review. You should go over the exercises you have done so far and redo 1) those that you missed and 2) those that you didn't do correctly.
12/15 Final Written Exam 8:30-10:30  

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Disability Access Statement
If you have a hidden or visible disability which may require classroom or test accommodations please see me as soon as possible during a scheduled office hour. If you have not already done so, you must register with the Coordinator of Disability Services (Erin Salva, salvae@kenyon.edu, x5145), who is the individual responsible for coordinating accommodations and
services for students with disabilities. All information and documentation of disability is strictly confidential. No accommodations will be granted in this course without notification from the Office of Disability Services.

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