Course Description:

Chinese 1 is an introductory course to the Chinese language and culture. Students develop basic skills to use Chinese language (Mandarin) in highly predictable common daily settings. Oral communication will be stressed through listening and speaking activities. Basic reading and writing skills in Pinyin and the simplified Chinese character system will be introduced. Students will use formulaic language- learned vocabulary words- in communications. Pair work and small group work is frequently used. Class is conducted partly in Chinese at the beginning, and the use of Chinese in the classroom increases over time. Chinese culture is an integral part of the curriculum. The course content and structure will be aligned with the state's World Language Content Standards for California Public Schools and American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Students who successfully complete this course will develop their Chinese proficiencies at the Novice Low to Novice Mid range of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

Interpersonal Communication, Novice Low:
I can communicate on some very familiar topics using single words and phrases that I have practiced and memorized.

Interpersonal Communication, Novice Mid:
I can communicate on very familiar topics using a variety of words and phrases that I have practiced and memorized.

Presentational Speaking, Novice Low:
I can present information about myself and some other very familiar topics using single words or memorized phrases.

Presentational Speaking, Novice Mid:
I can present information about myself and some other very familiar topics using a variety of words, phrases, and memorized expressions.

Presentational Writing, Novice Low:
I can copy some familiar words, characters, or phrases.

Presentational Writing, Novice Mid:
I can write lists and memorized phrases on familiar topics.

Interpretive Listening, Novice Low:
I can recognize a few memorized words and phrases when I hear them spoken.

Interpretive Listening, Novice Mid:
I can recognize a few memorized words and phrases when I hear them spoken.

Interpretive Reading, Novice Low:
I can recognize a few letters or characters. I can identify a few memorized words and phrases when I read.

Interpretive Reading, Novice Mid:
I can recognize some letters or characters. I can understand some learned or memorized words and phrases when I read.

Major Units

1. Hanyu Pinyin/Writing System/Numerals
2. Greetings
3. Family
4. Dates & Time
5. Hobbies
6. Visiting Friends

Major Grammar Focus:

1. Hanyu Pinyin
2. Tones
3. Basic radicals
4. Stroke orders
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10. Dates & Time
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Grading

Grading categories and percentage breakdowns for the course are as follows: Interpersonal 2-way Communication such as conversations and text chats (15%), Presentational 1-way Output such as speeches and writing (15%), Interpretive 1-way Input such as listening and reading (15%), Tests and Quizzes (25%), Final Exam (20%), Homework (10%).