Module LANG1451: BEGINNERS MANDARIN

Department: Language Centre

LANG1451: BEGINNERS MANDARIN

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• to encourage a positive and confident attitude towards language learning and to develop language learning skills essential for future study
• to develop basic communicative competence in Mandarin
• to foster an interest in the cultural and social life of China

Content

• this is a 'discovery' module allowing students to acquire basic linguistic skills for general communication
• seminars will be used to introduce and practice new vocabulary and key aspects of Mandarin grammar
• these will be reinforced and applied by providing opportunities for structured role-play exercises and other speaking/listening tasks
• cultural awareness will be developed through the study of selected background material introducing students to cultural, political and social aspects of China
• functional topics may include: talking about yourself and expressing likes/dislikes and agreement/disagreement, booking a room in a hotel, eating out, asking/giving directions, planning trips and travelling, shopping, talking about past events

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module learners will:
• understand some short texts on course related topics
• demonstrate an understanding of some of the key aspects of contemporary Mandarin society and political organisation

• On successful completion of the module learners will be able to:
• communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a straightforward and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities
• handle short social exchanges and role-play activities
• describe in basic terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need
• extract relevant information from simple every-day written and aural texts
• understand short simple personal letters, advertisements, prospectuses and simple tects
• write short simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need
• write very simple personal letters such as an invitation or a note of thanks

• By the end of this module learners will:
• demonstrate the ability to identify their own learning needs and address them effectively
• demonstrate an understanding of core meta language sufficient to undertake independent study of essential grammar and lexis
• demonstrate a strategic competence that will allow them to deal with unpredictable situitions

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• this module is delivered through a combination of seminar style classes and language laboratory exercises
• in preparation for each session students will be expected to prepare a set of materials, either individually or in small groups, which will be presented and discussed during class time, thus fostering students' development as independent learners
• in order to reflect the continuous nature of language learning, the module will be assessed by a combination of formative and summative in-course assessments and by formal examination
• summative assessments will also fulfil a formative function with feedback being formulated in a way that will help students to benchmark their own progress

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be given short fortnightly assignments in preparation for seminars and to practise and consolidate new material. All formative assessment will be submitted to the module tutor during class time. Summative language portfolio tasks will also fulfil a formative role since full feed-back will be provided to students.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University