Chinese Language and Culture


Rationale:

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.

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.

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.

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


I. Course Description:

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.


  1. Course Objectives:



  1. General Objectives:



Students will be able to …

      1. Recognize learned material and isolated words and phrases when these are strongly supported by context.

      1. Communicate minimally, using memorized words and phrases.

      1. Identify isolated words and/or major phrases when supported by context.

      1. Reproduce from memory some familiar words and phrases in character form, as well as re-combinations of these.

      1. Experience surface characteristics of the culture, including art, cuisine, dance, dress, geography, history, and literature.



B. Specific Objectives: Student Learning Outcomes

The students will be able to…


  1. Initiate and respond to simple greetings; (communicate)
  2. Interact with people with useful expressions for socializing; (communicate)
  3. Gain proficiency in introducing him/herself and other people; (communicate)
  4. Exchange personal information; (communicate)
  5. Recognize familiar with the official pinyin spelling system and tonal differences; (recognize, identify, reproduce)
  6. Identify approximately 150 words including places, colors, measure words for specific objects, mode of transportation, and time (identify, reproduce)
  7. Use words expressing time in daily conversation; (communicate)
  8. Count numbers, money, and tell scores from 1 – 100; (identify, communicate, reproduce)
  9. Recognize question words; (identify, reproduce, recognize)
  10. Recognize familiar words and expressions spoken at normal speed; (communicate, recognize, identify)
  11. Initiate a conversation about daily activities; (communicate)
  12. Gain an understanding of Chinese culture; (experience)
  13. Recognize 85-100 Chinese characters; (recognize, identify, reproduce)
  14. Express ownership and possession; (communicate, identify, recognize)
  15. Identify major nationalities; (identify, recognize, communicate)
  16. Read and write approximately 100 characters; (reproduce, recognize, identify)
  17. Follow directions given in Chinese; (communicate)
  18. Learn about basic Chinese geography and identify famous Chinese cities, landmarks; (identify, recognize)
  19. Sing one or more songs in Chinese; (experience, reproduce)
  20. Eat a Chinese meal and use chopsticks correctly; (experience)
  21. Write Chinese characters using calligraphy; (experience, reproduce, recognize)
  22. Play Chinese games; (experience, reproduce)

  23. 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.

    1. Required Course Materials: None



      1. Instructional Costs: None.



      1. Methods of Instruction: modeling, practicing, role-playing, flash-cards, dialogue practicing, and classroom activities.



      1. 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
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% – 69% = D

Below 60% = F



      1. Attendance Policy: As per College policy in the current catalog.



      1. Academic Honesty Polity: As per College policy in the current catalog.