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Chinese
Language and Culture
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Rationale:
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The emergence of China as
a major nation in the world scene has created a need for greater
understanding of the world’s most populous country. The
Federated States of Micronesia established its diplomatic
relationship with China in 1988 and currently maintains a very
cordial relationship with China. Over the years, FSM has received
many benefits from this relationship. The China-FSM Friendship Sport
Center at COM is a good example.
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Yet, our students have
little understanding of China. Successful communication in Chinese
is a key for promoting a better understanding of China. There are
many opportunities for government and business careers as well as
for scientific, scholarly, and cultural exchanges, that await
students who will learn to speak Chinese.
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Now, the Chinese
government has expressed the willingness to furnish a teacher from
China, to teach COM students basic Chinese language. This
opportunity should not be overlooked. This would allow the students
to gain an understanding of Chinese culture and business, through
learning the language -- without a financial burden on COM. It would
also allow FSM students to be eligible for Chinese scholarships and
student exchange programs.
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Therefore, the following
proposal of the course outline, Chinese Language and Culture,
is written for the consideration of putting “Chinese
Language” in our general catalog and having Chinese
language classes available for our students.
Chinese Language and
Culture
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I. Course Description:
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The course is designed to
introduce the principal elements of conversational Chinese that
includes pronunciation, basic vocabulary, common idioms, and
functional grammar with emphasis on the ability to converse in
simple Chinese. It will help student to develop an understanding and
appreciation of Chinese culture through the language usages.
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Course Objectives:
General Objectives:
Students will be able to …
Recognize
learned material and isolated words and phrases when these are
strongly supported by context.
Communicate
minimally, using memorized words and phrases.
Identify
isolated words and/or major phrases when supported by context.
Reproduce
from memory some familiar words and phrases in character form, as
well as re-combinations of these.
Experience
surface characteristics of the culture, including art, cuisine,
dance, dress, geography, history, and literature.
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B. Specific Objectives:
Student Learning Outcomes
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The students will be able
to…
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Initiate and respond to
simple greetings; (communicate)
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Interact with people with
useful expressions for socializing; (communicate)
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Gain proficiency in
introducing him/herself and other people; (communicate)
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Exchange personal
information; (communicate)
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Recognize familiar with
the official pinyin spelling system and tonal differences;
(recognize, identify, reproduce)
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Identify approximately 150
words including places, colors, measure words for specific objects,
mode of transportation, and time (identify,
reproduce)
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Use words expressing time
in daily conversation; (communicate)
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Count numbers, money, and
tell scores from 1 – 100; (identify,
communicate, reproduce)
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Recognize question words;
(identify, reproduce, recognize)
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Recognize familiar words
and expressions spoken at normal speed; (communicate,
recognize, identify)
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Initiate a conversation
about daily activities; (communicate)
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Gain an understanding of
Chinese culture; (experience)
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Recognize 85-100 Chinese
characters; (recognize, identify, reproduce)
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Express ownership and
possession; (communicate, identify, recognize)
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Identify major
nationalities; (identify, recognize,
communicate)
- Read and write
approximately 100 characters; (reproduce,
recognize, identify)
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Follow directions given in
Chinese; (communicate)
- Learn about basic
Chinese geography and identify famous Chinese cities, landmarks;
(identify, recognize)
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Sing one or more songs in
Chinese; (experience, reproduce)
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Eat a Chinese meal and use
chopsticks correctly; (experience)
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Write Chinese characters
using calligraphy; (experience, reproduce,
recognize)
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Play Chinese games;
(experience, reproduce)
Demonstrate understanding
of some basic etiquette; (experience)
III. Textbook:
Communicating in Chinese, by Cynthia Ning, Published by Far
Eastern Publications, Yale University, 1995, 2ed edition.
Required Course
Materials: None
Instructional Costs:
None.
Methods of
Instruction: modeling, practicing, role-playing, flash-cards,
dialogue practicing, and classroom activities.
Evaluation and
Assessment: Weekly written and oral evaluations via quizzes
(20%) and tests (30%); one-on-one conversation (10%); role-play
(10%); bi-weekly oral reading checks (20%); and class attendance
and participation. (10%)
- 90% + = A
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80% - 89% = B
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70% - 79% = C
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60% – 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Attendance Policy:
As per College policy in the current catalog.
Academic Honesty
Polity: As per College policy in the current catalog.
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