NORTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Division
Instructor: Howard Xie
Tel: 934-4541 Email: howard.xie@seattlecolleges.edu
Office: IB 2308B; Office Hours: 12:20-2:00 MWTh
中文 121 课程提纲
CHINESE 121 SYLLABUS
9:00-9:50 AM, Daily
Classroom IB 3426
REQUIRED TEXT MATERIALS
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
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Integrated Chinese, Textbook Level 1 Part 1 (Simplified Characters), 3rd ed. Liu, Yuehua,
et al
Integrated Chinese, Workbook Level 1 Part 1 (Simplified Characters), 3rd ed. Liu, Yuehua,
et al
Integrated Chinese, Character Workbook (Level 1 Part 1), 3rd ed. Liu, Yuehua, et al
Audio CDs for Textbook and Workbook (Level 1 Part 1) (a set of 4 sold at the circulation
counter in the library; please get them as soon as you can!)
DVDs for Integrated Chinese (available in the Loft for viewing, no purchase needed)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Designed for students with no prior exposure to Chinese language, Chinese 121 is the first
segment of a structured introduction to Modern Standard Chinese, emphasizing the four
communicative skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, all of which are integrated in
communication-oriented activities and exercises, aural/oral practice, structural drills and
appropriate level of reading and writing. After taking this course, I expect you to be able to
1. master basic pronunciation of the initials, finals and tones of individual characters with the
help of Pinyin (Romanization);
2. use basic strokes and rules of stroke-order of Chinese characters in writing1;
3. recognize 150 or so characters and about 100 everyday expressions in Modern Chinese;
4. carry out very simple conversations on topics such as greetings, family, friends, dates and
time, hobbies and school, etc. and write very briefly on those topics;
5. understand fundamentals of grammar to develop connected speech in future;
6. understand some cultural differences that make people think and behave differently.
(If you have had some Chinese, please talk to me immediately after class. I will advise you if this
class or the next class, CHIN 122 in Spring Quarter, is best for you to start!)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
To learn a foreign language is always difficult; more so is to learn a language that is so remote in
every aspect from English, your own language. You will soon find that this course requires a
tremendous amount of constant practice outside the classroom in pronunciation, listening,
reading, and writing. I commend you highly on your decision to learn Chinese; in the meantime, I
hope you are all aware that your decision has to be approached with a whole-hearted, longterm commitment. Since one quarter of Chinese will barely scratch the surface of the language,
I must emphasize that, unlike taking other Western languages, you will need to take 3 quarters of
Chinese at least just for a survival level of language proficiency and a foundation for further
development.
1
Although we are using the textbooks of simplified characters, you may, if you wish, use the traditional forms, particularly if your
intended major is Chinese language. I accept both forms in your homework or tests and am willing to provide extra help if you need
it. Please talk to me for more details.
Specifically, I expect you to
1. Attend class every day with punctuality.
2. Have about two hours each day (7 days a week) for oral/aural and written practice,
including frequently listening to the audio CDs that accompany the textbook and
workbook, and the numerous online resources you can find that can help you with the
language. You are recommended to have a recording device with which you can record
your own reading/speaking practice to monitor and improve your pronunciation,
intonation, and other reading/speaking techniques.
3. Form your own study groups and see the tutor in the Loft (second level in the Library) as
much as you can. See details for the bonus points for using the tutor.
4. Visit the Loft regularly for DVD watching and conversation with the tutor. See below for
details.
I will strive to create a relaxed classroom atmosphere where the language can be learned most
effectively, and to achieve this, I invite all of you to fully participate in our class activities,
pronunciation, listening, conversation and grammar drills, and discussions of written and oral
assignments.
GRADING POLICY
This class uses point system for grading. Each assignment (homework, tests) and activity you do
for this class will be worth a specific point value. (Please note that no late assignment is
acceptable.) The final grade will be a percentage based on the total points you have earned.
The following is a list of possible tasks:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Regular DVD watching in the Loft 10 points each visit; 100 points (10 visits) required
three tests
100 points each
two grammar quizzes
100 points each
Oral reports
100 points each
final exam
200 points
written and oral homework turned in or reviewed in class
10 to 20 points each
1. Regular DVD Watching in the Loft:
(1) Where: Go to the Loft (second level inside the Library). Identify yourself as a Chinese 121
student at the check-in. Check out the DVD and a pair of headset. Submit your student ID as
collateral. Watch it in the Loft as many times as you can. You are not allowed to take the DVD
out of the Loft due to licensing limitations. Make sure your activity is recorded when you are done
watching/listening at the check-out.
(2) When and How Many Times: My advice for you is to visit the Loft every week on any day(s)
of your choice between Week 2 and Week 11 for watching the DVD relevant to the lesson you
are learning in the class for a minimum of 20 minutes each visit. Each time you go, you will
earn 10 points; ten visits or 100 points are required of you (see “Grading Policy” above), but the
most that can be awarded to you is 120 points for the quarter. The more frequent and longer
your visits, the better it is for your aural/oral fluency! At the end of the quarter, the Loft will send
me a report of your regular activities, which will be part of your grade for this class.
2. Bonus and Penalty Regarding Attendance You are allowed to have two absences. Any
absence beyond that will cost 0.5% from your final grade each time you are absent.
Ten absences (equivalent of 2 weeks) will lead to an NC or 0. A perfect attendance (i.e.,
you have two absences or less for the entire quarter) will earn you up to 2% towards your
final grade. If medical condition or other emergency causes your absence, you need to
submit a documented excuse (for example, a doctor’s slip).
3. Penalty for Recurring Tardiness: Regular tardiness may affect your final course grade and
your ability to pass the course. Being tardy for three times will be counted as one
absence.
4. Bonus for Working with the tutor. Most learning will have to take place outside the
classroom. To assist you further, a native-speaker tutor will be available (her quarterly
schedule will be announced in class). After you have visited the tutor three times (20
minutes minimum each time), starting from your fourth visit, you will earn one percent
towards your final grade for each of your visit. Do not forget to sign in when you see the tutor
in the Loft. You do not need an appointment to see the tutor.
5. Bonus for Participating in CHAT. Only native English speakers qualify for this program.
CHAT is a conversation club that focuses on pairing International students in the Intensive
English Program (IEP) with domestic students. This is a wonderful opportunity for domestic,
English speaking students and Chinese international students to engage in cross cultural
exchange and help each other practice speaking with a native speaker of the target
language. If you are interested, ask me for an application form before attending the
orientation held by International Programs at 2 pm on Friday, Oct 12th in the North Star Dining
Room. You are required to meet with your partner at least once a week at a mutually agreed
time, and complete a very short journal entry after each meeting. When you complete the
program, submit to me, by Friday, Week 11, a short reflection paragraph or two (using either
or both languages as you are capable of). The completion of the program will earn you
up to 4%.
6. Total Bonus Allowed: Total combination of all bonus (for attendance, seeing the tutor, and
participating in CHAT) credited to your final quarterly grade will not exceed 6%.
The Seattle Community Colleges use a numerical grading system. Numerical grades may be
considered equivalent to letter grades as follow:
A
96-100
3.9-4.0
C
74-77
1.9-2.1 Average
A91-95
3.5-3.8 Excellent
C71-73
1.5-1.8
B+
88-90
3.2-3.4
D+
66-70
1.1-1.4
B
84-87
2.9-3.1 High
D
65
1.0
Minimum
B81-83
2.5-2.8
Dbelow 64
Fail
C+
78-80
2.2-2.4
Students cannot receive a grade of W (withdrawal) after the eighth week of classes. If you need
to withdraw from this class for any reason, please do so before the final day of the eighth week.
Services available for veterans, for students with learning disabilities: The College has
trained personnel to serve and accommodate these students. Please contact me if you need
help access these services.
Fall 2012/ 二零一二年 秋季学期
中文 121 课程计划 （Schedule）*
Week / M
T
W
Th
F
I/ Sept 24
Introduction
Chapter
25
26
27
28
II/ Oct 1
2
3
4
Lesson 1
5
Test One
III/ 8
9
10
11
12 CHAT
Orientation
@ 2pm
IV/15
Lesson 2
16
17
18
19
V/ 22
23
24
Lesson 3
Test Two
25
26
VI/ 29
30
31
NOV 1
2
7
8
Grammar
Quiz
9
VII/ Nov 5
6
Lesson 4
VIII/ 12
Veterans Day
13
14
15
16 Last day
to withdraw
IX/ 19
Lesson 5
Test Three
20
21
22
23
Thanksgiving
Day
Thanksgiving
Holiday
X/ 26
27
29
30 Final Oral
28
Report Prep;
CHAT report
due
XI/ Dec 3
Grammar
Quiz
4
5
6
7
Last Day of
Class
XII/ 10
Final Exam
8am-10am
11
12
Last Day of
the Quarter
13
14
Winter 2013
Quarter
Starts Jan 2nd
*Note: The schedule is tentative and subject to change.