LN142GC Half Unit
Mandarin Language and Society 2 (Intermediate) (Spring Semester)
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Hua Xiang PEL, 601B
Availability
This course is available to General Course ‘Spring Semester’ students.
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed Mandarin Language and Society Level 1 (Beginner) (LN104).
This is an intermediate course, and in order to register, completion of Language and Society 1 or GCSE equivalent is required. An interview with the course co-ordinator prior to registration is compulsory.
Course content
A bridge from intermediate to advanced study of the Mandarin language within the framework of social sciences and culture. In a dynamic and communicative way the course develops all four language skills (i.e. speaking, listening, reading and writing) through individual and group work, topical discussions, authentic and multi-media materials. The focus is on accuracy as well as communication that advance students’ language competence, transferable skills and cultural awareness. At this level, the students are required to read and write up to 1500 Chinese characters.
Teaching
50 hours of classes in the MT. 50 hours of classes in the LT. 5 hours of classes in the ST.
Five hours per week, which will feature: (a) interactive topical work; (b) oral practise; (c) grammar and vocabulary work; (d) tutorials; and (e) guided study using IT and web-based materials.
This course has reading weeks in Week 6 of Michaelmas and Lent terms.
Formative coursework
The students will be required to complete weekly exercises. This includes grammar activities, writing Chinese characters and online communicative materials.
Indicative reading
X Liu (ed.), 2006, New Practical Chinese Reader, Vol. 2, text book and workbook, Beijing. Beijing Language and Cultural University Press.
X Liu (ed.), 2006, New Practical Chinese Reader, Vol. 3, text book and workbook, Beijing. Beijing Language and Cultural University Press.
Y Po-Ching & D Rimmington, 2002, Beginners Chinese - A Grammar and Workbook, Routledge.
Oxford Chinese Dictionary, 2010, Oxford Dictionaries.
Assessment
Exam (40%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Oral examination (20%) in the ST.
Continuous assessment (40%) in the MT and LT.
Language courses map to the Common European Framework for Language Learning. This framework defines linguistic proficiency in the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) at different levels. To pass this course, students are therefore required to achieve a pass mark in each element of the assessment (continuous assessment, oral and written exams), as these test all four skills.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Language Centre
Total students 2019/20: Unavailable
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Capped 2019/20: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication