Chinese Language Courses
- Chinese Language
- Chinese Language-Accelerated
- Chinese Language-Business
Chinese Language
CHINESE 111-1,2,3 – Chinese I
Overview of class
This three-quarter sequence of beginning college level Chinese is designed for true beginners with no previous background in the language. This course is an introduction to Chinese, its basic grammar, pinyin system, vocabulary, usage, and the Chinese writing system. It also focuses on developing basic communicative skills and knowledge of the Chinese culture. There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. Our goal is to lay the solid ground work for your study of Chinese whether you plan to have a concentration in Chinese or to satisfy a language requirement. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to reach Novice-High level of the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. (http://actflproficiencyguidelines2012.org)
Registration Requirements
Except for Chinese 111-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Have a good command of the pronunciation system of Mandarin Chinese.
- Have a good command of Chinese characters in both handwriting and typing.
- Use Mandarin Chinese to carry out conversations on daily-life topics (e.g., food preference, hobbies and activities, shopping, visiting a doctor, Chinese culture and relationships.
- Write short passages on the topics above.
- Gain and demonstrate cultural knowledge discussed in the units.
Teaching Method
There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. English will be used mainly for instruction on sentence structures and patterns. Interaction between instructor and among students will be in Chinese.
Evaluation Method
Attendance and participation
Written assignments
Dictations
Oral quizzes
Written quizzes
Final exam
Class Materials (Required)
Fall quarter and Winter quarter
Textbook and Workbook: Modern Chinese 1A Simplified Characters (second edition)
Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-573-3 (textbook); 978-1-60603-572-6 (workbook)
Price:$59.95(textbook) $ 29.95(workbook)
Spring quarter
Textbook and Workbook: Modern Chinese 1B Simplified Characters (second edition)
Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook) 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook)
Price:$59.95(textbook) $ 29.95(workbook)
CHINESE 121-1,2,3 – Chinese II
Overview of class:
This year-long course is designed for students who have completed Chinese 111 at Northwestern or the equivalent elsewhere. It aims to further develop students’ Chinese proficiency through: (1) consolidating the foundation built in students’ beginning modern Chinese courses; (2) introducing them to more complex grammatical structures, varieties of language styles, and cultural information. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to be able to handle various types of more complex daily conversational situations and short passages on familiar topics. Successful completion of CHINESE 121-3 will satisfy the WCAS foreign language requirement. In addition, they will reach Intermediate mid to Intermediate high in reading, writing, listening and speaking according to ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Registration Requirements
Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to
- Speak in full sentence-length on topics of daily life with relative ease.
- Give descriptions and presentations in a short paragraph on topics covered in the course.
- Comprehend written texts on the topics covered in the course.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Chinese culture covered in the course.
Teaching Method
This course is conducted mostly in Chinese. Class time mainly focuses on speaking and listening skill development. There will also be reading and writing activities and assignments. Students are expected to be fully prepared for each lesson.
Evaluation Components
Class attendance and participation, assignments, quizzes, oral tests, presentations, midterm and final exam.
Class Materials (Required)
Fall quarter
1. Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 1B (Second Edition) Simplified Characters
Publisher: Better Chinese
ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook): 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook)
Price: $59.95 (textbook); $29.95(workbook)
- Modern Reader vol.1 （ebook）: $35
Winter quarter
- Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 1B (Second Edition) Simplified Characters
Publisher: Better Chinese
ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook): 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook)
Price: $59.95 (textbook); $29.95(workbook)
Note to students who join Chinese 121-2 in fall through the placement test: You may purchase the textbook and workbook ebooks instead of the physical ones on the publisher's website: betterchinese.com
- Modern Reader vol.1 （ebook）: $35
3. Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 2A Simplified Characters
Publisher: Better Chinese
ISBN: 978-1-60603-487-3(textbook); 978-1-60603-488-0 (workbook)
Price: $69.95 (textbook); $34.95(workbook)
Spring quarter
Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 2A Simplified Characters
Publisher: Better Chinese
ISBN: 978-1-60603-487-3(textbook); 978-1-60603-488-0 (workbook)
Price: $69.95 (textbook); $34.95(workbook)
CHINESE 211-1,2,3 – Chinese III
Overview of class
CHINESE 211 is a year-long intermediate-level course, designed to further develop students' communicative competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing in modern Chinese as well as to deepen understanding of Chinese culture and social issues. The course systematically expands students' vocabulary and help them produce paragraphs, particularly in the area of description, comparison and introduction. The goal of the course is to effectively build descriptive and comparative skills through rigorous activities and discussion on various topics. Chinese is the language used in this course. Upon satisfactory completion of the whole sequence course, students are expected to reach Intermediate-High level of the ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Registration Requirements
Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to
- Describe exterior features of objects, and discuss spatial layouts in a clear and structured manner.
- Use specific and vivid expressions to describe impressions pertaining to a person’s appearance, manner and style.
- Describe in detail weather conditions and natural disasters, personal feelings specifically and vividly.
- Introduce and compare climate features and prepare reports of weather in paragraph(s).
- Discuss some social and cultural topics in the given contexts.
Teaching Method
Bottom-up approach to expand progressively from words to sentences, and sentences to paragraphs with student-centered communicative and task-based activities. Class conducted in Chinese.
Evaluation Method
Class attendance and participation, homework/projects, quizzes, oral presentations, and written exams.
Class Materials (Required)
Developing Chinese Fluency Textbook ($64) and Workbook ($43); Author: Phyllis Zhang; Publisher: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-111-34223-4
CHINESE 311-1 – Chinese IV - Formal Speaking
Overview of class
Chinese 311 is a quarter-long series of Chinese courses composed by the following independent courses: Chinese 311-1: Formal Speaking, Chinese 311-2: Formal Writing, and Chinese 311-3: Formal Reading. The courses are designed to develop students’ abilities to speak and write formal Chinese respectively, as well as to read short literary works in Chinese. The content of the courses cover argumentations and articles on various topics, including Chinese culture, society and contemporary history. Student will also read authentic Chinese literary works in different written forms and language styles by various authors, with a focus on their cultural and social background. The goal of the courses is to train students to use written vocabulary and formal expressions as well as know how to arrange a structured speaking/writing with complete format and logical connections. Students will reach advanced low in reading, writing, listening and speaking based on ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Learning Objectives:
Upon satisfactory completion of 311-1, students will be able to use formal expressions to deliver a structured speech with logical arguments. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-2, students will be able to write essays in a formal style in depth about complex topics. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-3, students will be able to comprehend in depth authentic literary works in Chinese language and communicate efficiently their understanding in speaking and written forms.
Registration Requirements
CHINESE 211-3 with grade C- or above.
Students may be placed into this course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method
Class meets twice per week, 80 minutes per class. The course is designed with intensive student-oriented activities through reading various class materials, including essays, media reports and authentic Chinese literature works. Students are expected to read materials ahead of class, participate in in-class discussions led by the instructor, and make formal statements, arguments, speeches and debates about social and cultural phenomena in paragraphs. With instructor’s necessary corrections and suggestions on students’ papers, they are expected to present their works as formal oral presentations. Chinese is used for instruction.
Evaluation Method
Attendance
Classroom participation
Homework
Papers
Oral Presentations
Class Materials (Required)
Fall quarter & Winter quarter:
Textbook: Crossing Culture Boundaries (second edition)
Author: Kunshan Carolyn Lee, Hsin-hsin Liang, Liwei Jiao, Julian K Wheatley
ISBN: 978-0-415-77407-9
Spring quarter:
Textbook: Reading Chinese Short Short Stories
Author: Aili Mu, Ling Mu, Rongzhen Li
Printed by www.lulu.com ISBN: N/A
CHINESE 311-2 – Chinese IV - Formal Writing
Overview of class
Chinese 311 is a quarter-long series of Chinese courses composed by the following independent courses: Chinese 311-1: Formal Speaking, Chinese 311-2: Formal Writing, and Chinese 311-3: Formal Reading. The courses are designed to develop students’ abilities to speak and write formal Chinese respectively, as well as to read short literary works in Chinese. The content of the courses cover argumentations and articles on various topics, including Chinese culture, society and contemporary history. Student will also read authentic Chinese literary works in different written forms and language styles by various authors, with a focus on their cultural and social background. The goal of the courses is to train students to use written vocabulary and formal expressions as well as know how to arrange a structured speaking/writing with complete format and logical connections. Students will reach advanced low in reading, writing, listening and speaking based on ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Learning Objectives:
Upon satisfactory completion of 311-1, students will be able to use formal expressions to deliver a structured speech with logical arguments. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-2, students will be able to write essays in a formal style in depth about complex topics. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-3, students will be able to comprehend in depth authentic literary works in Chinese language and communicate efficiently their understanding in speaking and written forms.
Registration Requirements
CHINESE 211-3 with grade C- or above.
Students may be placed into this course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method
Class meets twice per week, 80 minutes per class. The course is designed with intensive student-oriented activities through reading various class materials, including essays, media reports and authentic Chinese literature works. Students are expected to read materials ahead of class, participate in in-class discussions led by the instructor, and make formal statements, arguments, speeches and debates about social and cultural phenomena in paragraphs. With instructor’s necessary corrections and suggestions on students’ papers, they are expected to present their works as formal oral presentations. Chinese is used for instruction.
Evaluation Method
Attendance
Classroom participation
Homework
Papers
Oral Presentations
Class Materials (Required)
Fall quarter & Winter quarter:
Textbook: Crossing Culture Boundaries (second edition)
Author: Kunshan Carolyn Lee, Hsin-hsin Liang, Liwei Jiao, Julian K Wheatley
ISBN: 978-0-415-77407-9
Spring quarter:
Textbook: Reading Chinese Short Short Stories
Author: Aili Mu, Ling Mu, Rongzhen Li
Printed by www.lulu.com ISBN: N/A
CHINESE 311-3 – Chinese IV - Formal Reading
Overview of class
Chinese 311 is a quarter-long series of Chinese courses composed by the following independent courses: Chinese 311-1: Formal Speaking, Chinese 311-2: Formal Writing, and Chinese 311-3: Formal Reading. The courses are designed to develop students’ abilities to speak and write formal Chinese respectively, as well as to read short literary works in Chinese. The content of the courses cover argumentations and articles on various topics, including Chinese culture, society and contemporary history. Student will also read authentic Chinese literary works in different written forms and language styles by various authors, with a focus on their cultural and social background. The goal of the courses is to train students to use written vocabulary and formal expressions as well as know how to arrange a structured speaking/writing with complete format and logical connections. Students will reach advanced low in reading, writing, listening and speaking based on ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Learning Objectives:
Upon satisfactory completion of 311-1, students will be able to use formal expressions to deliver a structured speech with logical arguments. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-2, students will be able to write essays in a formal style in depth about complex topics. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-3, students will be able to comprehend in depth authentic literary works in Chinese language and communicate efficiently their understanding in speaking and written forms.
Registration Requirements
CHINESE 211-3 with grade C- or above.
Students may be placed into this course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method
Class meets twice per week, 80 minutes per class. The course is designed with intensive student-oriented activities through reading various class materials, including essays, media reports and authentic Chinese literature works. Students are expected to read materials ahead of class, participate in in-class discussions led by the instructor, and make formal statements, arguments, speeches and debates about social and cultural phenomena in paragraphs. With instructor’s necessary corrections and suggestions on students’ papers, they are expected to present their works as formal oral presentations. Chinese is used for instruction.
Evaluation Method
Attendance
Classroom participation
Homework
Papers
Oral Presentations
Class Materials (Required)
Fall quarter & Winter quarter:
Textbook: Crossing Culture Boundaries (second edition)
Author: Kunshan Carolyn Lee, Hsin-hsin Liang, Liwei Jiao, Julian K Wheatley
ISBN: 978-0-415-77407-9
Spring quarter:
Textbook: Reading Chinese Short Short Stories
Author: Aili Mu, Ling Mu, Rongzhen Li
Printed by www.lulu.com ISBN: N/A
Chinese Language-Accelerated
CHINESE 115-1,2,3 – Chinese I - Accelerated
Overview of class
Accelerated Chinese 115 (115-1, 2, 3) is designed for advanced beginners who demonstrate higher levels of listening and speaking proficiency. This course aims to help students further hone all four skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The literacy goal is to master around 350 characters and to reach the intermediate-low to intermediate-mid level of literacy proficiency.
Learning Objectives:
- Carry out daily conversations with Chinese native speakers using appropriate wordings and manners for various contexts
- Read and comprehend short notes and simple stories written in Chinese
- Write short, simple communications, compositions, and requests for information in Chinese about personal topics
- Master the Chinese phonetic symbols (pinyin) for typing in Chinese
Registration Requirements
Except for Chinese 115-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method
This course meets four days a week and is conducted in Chinese. Class time mainly focuses on discussion based on the reading and/or writing assignments students complete before class.
Evaluation Method
Classroom attendance and participation, reading and writing assignments, presentations, dictations, written quizzes and one final exam
Class Materials (Required)
Fall quarter:
Textbook Integrated Chinese (Volume I, 4th edition),
Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company.
ISBN: 978-1622911356
Price: $59.99
Winter quarter & Spring quarter:
Textbook Integrated Chinese (Volume II, 4th edition),
Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company.
ISBN: 978-1622911417
Price: $63.99
CHINESE 125-1,2,3 – Chinese II - Accelerated
Overview of class:
Accelerated Chinese 125 (125-1, 2, 3) is an intermediate course primarily designed for students at ACTFL intermediate-mid level of proficiency in listening and speaking, and intermediate-low in literacy skills. This course aims to help students further hone all four skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The literacy goal is to master 1500-2000 characters and to reach an intermediate-high level of literacy proficiency.
Learning Objectives:
The goals of this course are to help students: (a) achieve a basic level of reading competency; (b) express themselves clearly in written Chinese on a variety of topics using learned grammar patterns and vocabulary; (c) reinforce their speaking proficiency on a broad range of topics; (d) cultivate their intercultural competence and ability to juxtapose and communicate across different cultures.
Registration Requirements:
Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method:
Four regular class hours are for learning of the key vocabulary, analysis of sentence structure, familiarity with Chinese culture, awareness of different registers, and discussion of topics related to the texts and supplementary readings. Students are expected to write and report on topics that have been covered in the texts and supplementary readings.
Evaluation Method:
Class performance, written assignments, oral reports, written quizzes, and a final exam.
Class Materials (Required):
Fall quarter:
Textbook and workbook : Integrated Chinese, Level 2, Part1 (3rd ed.);
Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company.
ISBN: 9780887276798 (textbook); 9780887276835 (workbook)
Price: $58.99(textbook); $27.99 (Workbook)
Winter quarter & Spring quarter:
Textbook and workbook : Integrated Chinese, Level 2, Part2 (3rd ed.);
Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company.
ISBN: 9780887276880 (textbook); 9780887276927 (workbook)
Price: $59.99(textbook); $28.99
CHINESE 215-1,2,3 – Chinese III - Accelerated
Overview of class
This is a year-long three-quarter course in advanced modern Chinese (Mandarin). Students will transition from basic, functional communicative skills to more in-depth academic exchanges with themes about the real Chinese world. Besides rigorous training in oral proficiency, it focuses on upgrading reading and writing skills. Topics include Chinese cultural concepts, social change, economic development, and human relationships. Students will discuss the above-mentioned topics from a cross-cultural perspective. Proficiency goals (per ACTFL guidelines): Advanced-Low in oral skills and Intermediate-High to Advanced-Low in literacy skills
Learning Objectives:
(1) Increase students’ awareness and knowledge of social issues in Modern China.
(2) Expand vocabulary, improve fluency, and enhance the accuracy in output.
(3) Students will learn to, in written and spoken Chinese, organize ideas better, produce coherent paragraph-leve outputs, make solid arguments, and express themselves formally.
Registration Requirements
Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method
We use Chinese to discuss our readings. Students are also expected to write short essays based on the topics discussed in class.
Evaluation Method
Attendance and Participation, essays, oral presentations, quizzes or exams
Class Materials (Required)
Textbook “ Reading Into a New China” by Duanduan Li & Irene Liu,
Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-88727-627-9
Price: $49.99
CHINESE 315-3 – Chinese IV - Accelerated: Media and Society
Overview of Class
Chinese 315 is a quarter-long series of advanced modern Chinese courses composed by the following independent courses: Chinese 315-1: Academic writing and speaking; Chinese 315-2: Advanced Reading and Writing, Chinese 315-3: Media and Society. The content of these three courses covers contemporary social and media issues in China. The curricular goals for these courses are to help students learn to use academic language to write essays and give oral presentations on topics related to social and economic issues. Class activities and assignments include discussions and presentations. Upon satisfactory completion of these courses, students are expected to be able to give oral presentation and write short essays about Chinese social and cultural issues in the Chinese language. They will reach Advanced low to Advanced high in reading, writing, listening, and speaking according to ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Registration Requirements
Chinese 215-3 with grade C- or above or by placement.
Three courses of Chinese 311-1, 2, 3, 312-1, 312-2 with C- or above, or by placement test.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to
- Conduct research in primary sources
- Understand the main messages and most supporting details on a wide variety of general topics
- Maintain conversations and discussions on various cultural and social topics
- Deliver detailed cohesive presentations and elaborate on various cultural and social topics using organized paragraphs
Teaching Method
Discussions on preassigned readings. Students are required to complete the preparation before class.
Evaluation Components
Attendance, participation, assignments, quizzes, presentations, projects
Class Materials (Required)
Textbook: Chinese for Working Professionals
Publisher: Routledge
Author: Yi Zhou, Haidan Wang
Price: $39.96
ISBN-9781138370883
Chinese Language-Business
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