Department of Languages and Cultures Kā Reo me kā Tikaka o te Ao Whānui CHIN131 1
Paper Description Learning Chinese language is an essential first- step towards understanding China's culture, history, political and economic system. This course is for absolute beginners and it is designed to set the foundation for your study of Chinese. Learning a foreign language is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Students are encouraged to prepare before classes, listen carefully in class, and most importantly participate as much as they can. Both lectures and tutorials are interactively designed to develop the four basic language skills: Listening, Speaking, Writing, Reading. Restrictions: CHIN 101 Schedule C: Arts and Music Course Objectives By participating in lectures, tutorials, completing the assigned homework, and via other independent learning activities (practice with Language Perfect, meetings with language match partners, and exercises based on suggested online resources), students will gain: - a basic understanding of the Chinese language structure - elementary conversational skills - basic reading and writing skills More specifically, the paper s expected learning outcomes include: - learning basic phonetics and tones - fluency in reading and writing the Pinyin system - a written vocabulary of about 300 characters - the ability of carrying out simple conversations on everyday topics (such as exchange of personal information, family structure, and profession, basic physical descriptions of people, place and time) - the capacity of reading independently a simple text Teaching Staff Paper Coordinator Name: Dr. Paola Voci Office: Burns 3S1 Email: paola.voci@otago.ac.nz Office Hours: Mon & Thu @ 9 am You should contact the administrative assistant Esther Wells (esther.wells@otago.ac.nz) with any administrative enquiries about the paper. 2
Course Delivery Lecture: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 14:00-14:50 Tutorials: Stream I: Wednesday and Thursday 9:00 9:50 Stream II: Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 10:50 Stream III: Wednesday and Thursday 11:00 11:50 Lectures: We will study one new lesson for each week cycle (starting from lesson 1 end ending with lesson 14). On Monday and Tuesday we will learn and practice the new grammar patterns and new vocabulary, as well as read the lesson dialogues. On Tuesday, we will also introduce culturally authentic material (feature films, documentaries, websites). In order to take full advantage of the class interactive lectures, students will do a variety of activities focused on the new vocabulary (peer dictations, characters games, etc.). At the end of each week cycle, on Thursday, we will have a review followed by short quiz (15 minute long). Tutorials: While lectures will all have an interactive nature, it is during tutorial times, when students are divided in smaller groups, that you will have an opportunity to practice more extensively, through both small group or pair activities and individual exercises. Day and Time Format Content Skills/Focus Monday 14:00-15:50 Interactive Lecture Introduce communicative goals and grammar patterns of the new lesson. Lesson Dialogues Characters practice (activities with characters and short phrases from the new lesson) Homework is assigned. Due following Monday at 12 (noon). Listening, Reading Speaking, Tuesday 14:00-15:50 Interactive Lecture Introduce communicative goals and grammar patterns of the new lesson. Lesson Dialogues Introduce culturally authentic material. Listening, Reading Speaking, Wed and Thu T1 9:00-9:50 T2 10:00-10:50 T3 11:00-11:50 Tutorial Expand and practice introduced patterns and communicative situations Speaking and Writing Thursday 14:00-14:50 Interactive Lecture Review of introduced patterns and communicative situations Lesson Quiz Listening, Writing 3
Course Calendar The course calendar (in this outline) details scheduling information. Note that this calendar may change as the course proceeds. Any changes will be announced at lectures and be detailed on Blackboard. Students are expected to prepare for and attend all classes to gain full benefit from the paper. Students unable to attend a lecture or tutorials are expected to catch up on missed material. Unless stated otherwise, all aspects of the course are examinable. Expectations and Workload In addition to our contact hours (3 hrs lecture and 2 hrs tutorial), you are expected to dedicate daily time to your language practice. Note: The University of Otago guidelines recommend that students should spend an average of at least 12 hours per week studying for an 18 point/one semester paper (i.e., in addition to your weekly workload, this average includes the time you dedicate to prepare for oral presentation, mid- term and exam). Studying for and succeeding in this class: The MOST important thing to remember about language learning is that you need to prepare BEFORE (not after) we begin a new lesson. The general idea is that you use the days before Monday to prepare for the content (especially focus on vocabulary memorization) that will be introduced on Monday and the weekdays from Monday to Thursday to learn and practice the new grammar patterns by attending lectures and tutorial, and study on your own (by doing homework and reviewing characters). NOTE: While homework for each lesson is due on the following Monday, I strongly recommend that you try to do as much as you can by Thursday. It will help you do well in your quiz on Thursday and will give you the chance to ask for help and clarification during class time or the instructors office hours. Most importantly, it will give you more time to prepare for the new lesson BEFORE our Monday lecture. While everyone learns in different ways, if you have never studied a foreign language before, it may be useful for you to check a study guide that is available for you on BlackBoard. 4
Course Learning Resources One required textbook: Liu, Xun, ed. Xin shiyong hanyu keben 1 (New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (Textbook & Workbook). Beijing: Beijing Language and Culture University Press, 2011. (Both available at the University Book Shop) Note: We will use NPCR and the NPCR Workbook as our core texts, but we will supplement them with videotapes and other culturally authentic material. During the interactive lecture sessions, I will also use power point presentations and other visual material to facilitate the comprehension and the practice of the language constructions; lectures materials and notes will be available for your review on Black Board. Please check regularly BB for paper announcements and homework assignments. Language Perfect Every language student at Otago has access to the Vocabulary online programme Language Perfect. http://www.languageperfect.com/website/ The programme includes our textbook vocabulary and you are encouraged to register and use it regularly. Otago Language Match Partner Otago Language Match brings together staff and students from the University of Otago and the University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year to share and improve their language skills through a conversational Language Exchange Programme. Your Language Match partner will be a student or staff member who speaks the language you wish to practise or learn (in your case, of course, Chinese). You can apply online at http://www.otago.ac.nz/international/languagematch.html Or you can get an application form from our Languages and Cultures Reception (3 rd Floor, Arts Bldg, 3C10) Other useful online resources: Lear Mandarin Chinese Online http://www.chinese- course.com/index.php Memrise : http://www.memrise.com/ Mandarinspot: http://mandarinspot.com/ Chinese online dictionary: http://www.nciku.com/ Student Webmail IMPORTANT - DO THIS NOW: Forward your University email address to an email address that you use regularly as follows: 1. Log into your StudentMail account using your student username and password 2. Click Options >See All Options 3. Under Account, select either the Forward your email shortcut or the Connected Accounts tab. 4. At the bottom of the screen, type in the email address you want your email to be forwarded to. You can also choose to have a copy of these emails kept on your StudentMail account, so please check the box if you would like this. 5. Click the Start forwarding link at the bottom of the page. 5
Assessment Language learning is a gradual process that involves daily practice. A great emphasis is therefore placed on your pre- class preparation and in- class performance. Attendance is essential and a significant portion of your final grade is based on your active presence in class. 70% of your final grade is internally assessed and it is divided as follows: Weekly in- class assessment: 20% for lesson quizzes, 10% for characters recognition/writing, and 10% for Homework. Note: Homework is not marked, but completion of HW will be credited as a percentage and then converted into a mark. Oral presentations: 15% of your final mark; students will give 4 oral presentations. Each is worth 5%, but only three will count, as the lowest mark will be dropped. Students will sign up to do their oral presentations. They can choose a monologue (1 minute) or a dialogue (about 2 minutes). Mid- term test: 15% There will also be a final exam (covering all material until lesson 22 included), which counts for the remaining 30% of your final grade. In addition to checking your grades received on weekly assessment (which will be uploaded regularly on BB), you are encouraged to visit me during my office hours (or make appointments to see me) so I can provide you with feedback, as well as give you suggestions for improvement through individual conferencing at any time during the semester. All material presented is examinable (except where stated otherwise) by assignments and the final examination. All important assessment information such as due dates and times, content, guidelines and so on will be discussed at lectures and, where appropriate, detailed on Blackboard. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are aware of this information, keeping track of their own progress, and catching up on any missed classes. Assessment Date % of final grade Weekly Character Practices Mondays @ 2 pm - during Lecture time 10 Weekly Lesson Quizzes Thursdays @ 2 pm during Lecture time 30 Test will take place in our lecture classroom Homework Due every Monday at 12pm 5 Dr. Paola Voci s Assignment Box, Languages and Cultures, 3 rd Floor of the Arts Building Mid- term test Thursday 16 April @ 2:00 pm 15 Test will take place in our usual lecture classroom Oral Presentations Wednesday or Thursday 10 Oral Presentations will take place during tutorial times. Students will be given a sign- up sheet after the mid- semester break. Final Exam TBA 30 6
Course Requirements Terms Requirements Since no one can master a language overnight, attendance is essential. Students who want to sit the final written examination should meet the following requirements: Attendance at no less than 80% of all classes (lectures and tutorials) Assessment Format The departmental assignment coversheet (in this outline or on the departmental webpage) must be signed and stapled to all Homework assignments. There will be no make- up quizzes without a valid excuse (i.e., doctor certificate). Late Assignments Homework handed in late will be marked with penalty. Assignment Collection Assignments are returned in class. Dishonest Practice and Plagiarism Students should ensure that all submitted work is their own. Plagiarism is a form of dishonest practice (cheating). It is defined as copying or paraphrasing another s work and presenting it as one s own. Any student found responsible for dishonest practice in any piece of work submitted for assessment shall be subject to the University s dishonest practice regulations, which may result in serious penalties, including forfeiture of marks for the piece of work submitted, a zero grade for the paper, or in extreme cases, exclusion from the University. The University of Otago reserves the right to use plagiarism detection tools. Students are advised to inform themselves about University policies concerning dishonest practice and take up opportunities to improve their academic and information literacy. If necessary, seek advice from academic staff, or the Student Learning Centre. The guideline for students is available at this link: http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/plagiarism/ The Library resource on ethical use of information is available via this link: http://oil.otago.ac.nz/oil/module8.html Grading System The grading scheme used at Otago is: A+ 90-100 C+ 60-64 A 85-89 C 55-59 A- 80-84 C- 50-54 B+ 75-79 D 40-49 B 70-74 E <40 B- 65-69 7
Course Calendar Date Week 1 23 26 February Week 2 2-5 March Week 3 9-12 March Lesson 课 Introduction Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Theme 题 Grammar Patterns Saying hello! How does Chinese sound like? (1) Word Order Asking Questions (Are you busy? What do you want? Asking Questions (Where are you from?) How does Chinese sound like? (2) Adjectival Predicate Questions with 吗 How does Chinese sound like? (3) Adjectival Predicate Questions with Interrogative Pronouns Week 4 16-19 March Week 5 23-26 March Week 6 16 April Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6 Midterm TEST Lesson 8 Self Introduction (Also: asking for permission, asking someone s name) Looking for (places, people; asking for directions) Review Making comments & suggestion; Declining politely 30 March 2 April Week 9 Mid Semester Break 3 April Friday 10 April 2015 Week 7 Lesson 7 Talking about one s major (meeting someone for the first 13-16 April time) Week 8 20-23 April Week 10 27 April - 30 April Week 11 4-7 May Week 12 11-14 May Week 13 18-21 May Week 14 25 28 May Lesson 9 Lesson 10 Lesson 11 Lesson 12 Lesson 13 Talking about family (occupation, university) Asking age/ birthplace (extend good wishes, celebrate birthday) Likes and Dislikes (Shopping, Money) Ability (Asking about time; expressing ability) Health (Talking about health, need, desire) Talking about what happened (Rent a house, making a phone call, invitations) How does Chinese sound like? (4) Sentences with How does Chinese sound like? (5) Questions with Interrogative Pronouns So, that s how Chinese sounds like! Verbal Predicate Possessive Questions V/A not V/A Questions with 呢 Adverbs and Numbers; Measure words Questions with other interrogative pronouns: and Date and Day Time words as adverbials Nominal Predicate Questions with 吗 Prepositional Phrases Sentences with double objects 给, Questions with 吗 Telling Time Optative verbs (1): 应该 Sentences with Serial Verb phrases Sentences with double objects:, 问 Sentences with Subject- Predicate as predicate Alternative Questions Optative verbs (2): The particle Pivotal sentences Optative verbs (3): Lectures end Friday 29 May 2015 University Exam Period First Semester Begins Wednesday 3 June 2015 8
Student Learning Support and Information Student Charter http://www.otago.ac.nz/about/otago005275.html Guidelines for Learning at Otago http://hedc.otago.ac.nz/hedc/wp- content/uploads/2012/12/guidelines- for- Learning.pdf Student Learning Centre The Student Learning Centre, which is part of the Higher Education Development Centre, provides learning support, free of charge, to ALL enrolled students. Their services include: a workshop programme designed to help students to improve their learning strategies and their generic skills; individual assistance with learning issues; on- line study skills advice; a student leadership programme a student- led peer support programme for students of all ages and backgrounds. conversational English groups for students from a non- English speaking background The Centre also provides two very helpful study guides, Guidelines for Writing and Editing and Writing University Assignments and these are available on the SLC website. http://hedc.otago.ac.nz/hedc/learning/ Library Support e University Library provides online resources and research tools for students. These include article databases, past exam papers and subject guides. Check it out at: http://www.otago.ac.nz/library/for/undergraduates/ The subject guide for Asian Studies provides you with language and culturally specific resources such as recommended books, video, database and web resources, http://otago.libguides.com/asian_studies Library Liaison Officer for Languages Thelma Fisher Tel 03 479 9020 Email thelma.fisher@otago.ac.nz Māori Student Support Officer - Kaiāwhina Māori Departmental contact: Esther Wells Tel +64 3 479-9032 Email esther.wells@otago.ac.nz Divisional contact: Ana Rangi Tel 03 479 8681 Email ana.rangi@otago.ac.nz Pacific Island Student Support Officer Departmental contact: Dr. Christiane Leurquin Tel +64 3 479 9097 Email: christiane.leurquin@otago.ac.nz Divisional contact: Esmay Eteuati Tel +64 3 479 9616 Email: esmay.eteuati@otago.ac.nz 9
Disability Information and Support Disability Information and Support provides learning support, advice, advocacy and information to students with permanent, recurring or temporary impairments. http://www.otago.ac.nz/disabilities/ Melissa Lethaby Tel +64 3 479-8549 Email melissa.lethaby@otago.ac.nz Policy regarding Special Consideration Special Consideration during the teaching semester If you know you will be absent during the semester, you should discuss with your course tutor in advance how to ensure that you can fulfil course requirements. What is required will depend on what assignments or tests fall due during the period of your absence. If you are absent because of illness for a full week or more, you are strongly advised to obtain a medical certificate to show on your return. This is particularly important where you are unable to meet a deadline for an assignment which counts towards internal assessment. Student Health has a standard Medical Certificate for this purpose, and all local general practitioners also know what is required. (A telephone call or e- mail message to the Departmental Secretary, Esther Wells, Department of Languages and Cultures, 3C8 esther.wells@otago.ac.nz, tel. 479 9032 is good practice.) Applications for Special Consideration and alternative arrangements in examinations. University regulations concerning these applications are in a leaflet sent out with your 2014 Course Approval form and are also available from the Student Enquiries Office in the Clocktower Building. Student Feedback We encourage your feedback. This can be in the form of contacting staff, participating in course evaluation surveys and communicating with class representatives. Continual improvements will be made to this course based in part on student feedback. Class Representatives The class (or student) representative system is an avenue for encouraging communication and consultation between staff and students. It provides you with a vehicle for communicating your views on the teaching and delivery of the paper and provides staff with an opportunity to communicate information and gain constructive feedback from students. It contributes to the development of a sense of community within a department and it adds a further dimension to the range of support services offered to students. 10
Volunteers for the role of class representatives will be called early in the semester. The OUSA invites all class representatives to a training session, conducted by OUSA, about what it means to be a class representative and some of the possible procedures for dealing with issues that arise. They also provide information on the services that OUSA offers and the role OUSA can play in solving problems that may occur. The OUSA provides support to class representatives during the semester. Departmental staff will also meet with class representatives during the semester to discuss general issues or matters they wish to have considered. Your class representative s name and contact details will be posted on Blackboard early in the semester. Concerns about the Course We hope you will feel comfortable coming to talk to us if you have a concern about the course. Your lecturer will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have. Alternatively, you can talk to the course co- ordinator or report your concerns to the class representative who will follow up with departmental staff. If, after making approaches via these channels, you do not feel that your concerns have been addressed, there are university channels that may aid resolution. For further advice or more information on these, contact our administrative assistant (esther.wells@otago.ac.nz) or the head of department, Dr. Simon Ryan (simon.ryan@otago.ac.nz). Disclaimer While every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, it is subject to change. Changes will be notified in class and via Blackboard. Students are encouraged to check Blackboard regularly. It is the student s responsibility to be informed. 11
Department of Languages and Cultures Kā Reo me kā Tikaka o te Ao Whānui Assignment Cover Sheet The following Declaration has to be signed and stapled to ALL essays and assignments: Course Code: Tutor: Student ID: Student name: Paper number: Assignment title: I understand the University s policy on plagiarism and declare that this assignment is my own work and that all source material used within this assignment is accurately acknowledged. Signature: Date: 12