Course prescriptions 2014 - 2018
Chinese: Background Speakers Course
The prescribed themes and contemporary issues for teaching and examining from 2014 to
2018 are the same as those for 2009 – 2013.
Prescribed theme
the individual and the community
Contemporary Issues


youth culture

the role of family and marriage in contemporary
society

pressures on young people today

the place of education in young people’s lives
the impact on young people of changes in
traditional social values

Chinese communities overseas
global issues
the role of the individual in today’s society
changing gender roles in today’s society

adapting to new cultures (education, leisure,
lifestyle)

the maintenance of Chinese culture in nonChinese cultural contexts

economic growth and its impact
environmental issues


the impact of international influences on Chinese–
speaking countries
The following prescribed texts are for teaching and examining from 2014 to 2018.
Li, Jianrong, 2009, Huan bao ju zhang (Environmental Bureau), Chapters 1 and 6,
People’s Publishing House, China.
ISBN 978-7-01-007584-6.
Li, Yang, 2002, He chu shi gui cheng (Return Journey), Chapter 2,
Worker’s Press, China.
ISBN 7-5008-2828-4.
Long, Yingtai, 2008, Ni shi na guo ren (Which country are you from?), in Dear Andrew,
People’s Literature Publishing House, China.
ISBN 978-7-02-006861-6.
Long, Yingtai, 2008, Zai yi ge mei you ka fei guan de cheng (A city without a café), in Dear
Andrew, People’s Literature Publishing House, China.
ISBN 978-7-02-006861-6.
Qian, Zhongshu, 1991, Wei cheng (Fortress Besieged), Chapter 2,
People’s Literature Publishing House, China.
ISBN 978-7-02-004257-9.
Timothy, 2009, Ma ya zhong guo (Mum, China),
self-published online song, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM5wFWIN3Sc.
Zhang, Yimou, 2010, Shan zha shu (Under the Hawthorn Tree),
Beijing New Picture Film Co., China.
Zheng, Xiaolong, 2001, Gua sha (The Gua Sha Treatment),
Beijing Forbidden City Film Co., China.
Trim: 2013/36200
Prescribed themes mapped to the prescribed texts
Prescribed theme
Text type
Prescribed text
The individual and the
community
Novel
In Li, Yang
The individual and the
community
Novel
In Qian, Zhongshu
The individual and the
community
Film
In Zhang, Yimou
Youth culture
Novel
In Li, Yang
Youth culture
Film
In Zhang, Yimou
Youth culture
Novel
In Qian, Zhongshu
Chinese communities
overseas
Song
In Timothy
Chinese communities
overseas
Film
In Zheng, Xiaolong
Chinese communities
overseas
Letter
In Long, Yingtai, ‘Which country are you
from?’
Chinese communities
overseas
Letter
In Long, Yingtai, ‘A city without a café’
Global issues
Novel
In Li, Yang
Global issues
Novel
In Li, Jianrong
Trim: 2013/36200