| Unit name | Intermediate Mandarin Chinese |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LANG31047 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Foster |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites |
Satisfactory completion of Mandarin Chinese (pre intermediate) LANG 21047 or if the student is deemed to already have the appropriate entry level of language required |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
A continuation of pre-intermediate Mandarin Chinese. Consolidation and further development of the language structures and functions acquired in pre-intermediate Mandarin Chinese. Students will build on their existing language competence and further develop language structures across all skills at an intermediate level. Particular emphasis will be placed on the skills necessary for effective oral, written and reading communication in the target language at an intermediate level. This unit includes: Communication skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing; Extension of more complex grammatical structures; Development of knowledge of the vocabulary used in everyday language; Consolidation and further development of the use and meaning of Chinese characters; Greater exposure to cultural and social aspects of the language, use of e-learning: keeping an online learning diary using an online blog.
By the end of the course, the student will:
1. be able to communicate effectively on a variety of general and specific topics, having achieved a confident level of communicative competence in everyday situations and in a foreign academic environment.
2. have developed specific academic skills (note taking, giving oral presentations and academic writing) necessary for studying in an academic environment.
3. be able to apply their language skills into areas related to their specific field of study (i.e. language for special purposes)
4. have acquired knowledge and awareness of the general social and cultural background of the target language
5. have made full use of e-learning opportunities at the University, for example blogs and wikis in Blackboard, etc.)
The expected exit level in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the end of the 12 week unit is level A2 and part of level B1 of the Common European Framework.
3 hours of teaching per week covering all four topics of Reading writing speaking and listening. Classroom based learning is supplemented by online access to resources delivered via Blackboard. Regular formative homework is set.
The four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are assigned equal weighting for the purposes of assessment (25% each).
For reading and writing there is a formal examination in the summer examination period, which comprises 25% of the total mark. This assesses ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Listening is assessed by continuous assessment, consisting of listening assignments and class tests, which comprise 25% of the total mark. Both assess ILOs 1 and 2.
Speaking is tested by continuous assessment, consisting of marked coursework (oral presentation) and an oral test. Both assess ILOs 1, 2 and 3.
A course book clearly identified by the Director of Foreign Language Teaching as suitable for this level. Reading and reference material will be provided on Blackboard.
