CHINE131-22B (HAM)

Chinese for Beginners

15 Points

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Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Arts
Chinese

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Maria Galikowski

Maria Galikowski
4210
I.3.01
See Moodle
maria.galikowski@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

: alexandra.cullen@waikato.ac.nz

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: anne.ferrier-watson@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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Paper Description

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Ni Hao! This paper is designed for beginning learners of Mandarin Chinese. Over the 12 weeks of the trimester, you will be introduced to the pinyin system ( a way of writing syllables in Chinese using the English alphabet) and the tonal system, and you will learn how to construct Chinese characters. By the end of the trimester, you should be able to write approximately 150 characters in their simplified form, and know how to use them to exchange basic information (name, nationality, place of study, family members, etc.) with others.

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Paper Structure

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3 lectures, plus one tutorial per week.

Due to the continuing uncertainty over COVID alert levels, you will have the option of either coming onto campus for a face-to-face class (which is always the best option when learning a language :) ) or join the class via zoom. Since classes are highly interactive, they will not be Panoptoed or recorded, due to student privacy issues.

You will have the option of submitting assignments by either handing in your workbook to me in class, or via Moodle (details will be given in class). If alert levels change, you may need to submit assignments via Moodle only.

All tests for this paper will continue for this year to be conducted via scheduled zoom sessions.

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:

  • understand how Chinese characters are contructed
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • understand how the Chinese tonal system works
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • utilise basic sentence structures in the Chinese language
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • greet others, and convey simple information about themselves in Chinese
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • recognise, write and type approximately 150 characters in simplified Chinese.
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessment

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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Test 1
8 Aug 2022
2:00 PM
5
2. Test 2
22 Aug 2022
2:00 PM
10
3. Test 3
26 Sep 2022
2:00 PM
15
4. Test 4
18 Oct 2022
1:00 PM
15
5. Test 5
20 Oct 2022
9:00 AM
25
6. Class participation
10
7. Written assignments
20
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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Required and Recommended Readings

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Required Readings

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Liu Xun (ed.), Practical Chinese Reader I (2nd edition), Textbook and Workbook

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Other Resources

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There are many resources (apps, Youtube videos, etc.) currently available for strengthening your Chinese language learning. Here are some of the more useful ones:-

The “Yellow Bridge” website (www.yellowbridge.com) has useful written and pronunciation exercises, and lots of tips on learning Chinese, specifically for those students using the New Practical Chinese Reader resource materials.

Skritter (http://www.skritter.com/) helps you to learn how to write and remember Chinese characters. You do have to subscribe, however, and it is fairly expensive, but try out the free demo, and see what you think.

Pleco is a really useful app. The basic Chinese dictionary is free. You can also make up flash cards for memorization work, as well as do lots of other things. Draw characters on screen to bring up a definition/English translation. Anki is also a good app to enable you to make up digital flashcards for Chinese characters.

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Online Support

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There is an online Moodle community for this course. Moodle can be accessed via iWaikato. The paper outline is available on this site. Important announcements will also be posted through Moodle.

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Workload

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3 lectures, plus one tutorial per week. You should aim to spend at least an additional eight hours per week (depending on how good your memory is!) on completing assignments and on character-learning.

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Linkages to Other Papers

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Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

Restricted papers: CHIN131

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