Chinese II
John Mahon
Damien High School (2014-2015)
I.
Course Overview
Chinese II continues to develop fundamental skills for the practical use and further study of the
modern Chinese Language. The spoken language of the Han people (Mandarin) and the “simplified”
characters of modern China are the key sources of study and learning. Instruction and assessment
models emphasize and measure the development in students of practical knowledge and skills necessary
to understand and use the Chinese Language in both spoken and written form. With a textbook story
set among multi-national students and teachers of the language itself, the course also contributes to
greater cultural understanding, particularly of the Chinese themselves.
II.
Course Objectives
o To utilize the Pinyin mode of phonetic representation to help read, write, comprehend, and speak
Mandarin (for semester 1).
o To develop a practical command of grammatical structures necessary for effective written and
spoken communication of Chinese.
o To develop auditory and cognitive skills so students will recognize and comprehend spoken
Mandarin syllables, words, phrases, sentences, and short passages.
o To form basic and effective methods for accurate and standard pronunciation of Mandarin
syllables, words, phrases, sentences, and short passages.
o To learn the strokes, radicals, associated pronunciations, and English meanings and/or usages of
written Chinese characters so students will be able to both read and write them as individual and
compound structures. Approximately 380 will be learned by the end of the course.
o To nurture value for Chinese language learning and cross-cultural understanding with the Chinese
people, and to utilize the Chinese language for this purpose.
III.
Assessments
Students will be assessed in the four main areas of foreign language learning: reading, writing, speaking,
and listening comprehension. Assignment and assessment modalities will be relatively consistent
throughout the course. Assignments will be given both in class and for homework. Assessments will
involve mid-chapter quizzes, end-of-chapter tests, and a variety of other forms as necessary. An unweighted, cumulative, semester point system is utilized and grades are determined according to the
DHS standard scale:
A = 90-100%;
B = 80-89%;
C = 70-79%;
D = 60-69%;
An approximate breakdown of assessment areas and percentages follows:
Quizzes/Tests/Final
Homework
Classwork
60-75%
20-25%
10-15%
F = below 60%
IV.
Materials (1st Semester)
o
o
o
The New Practical Chinese Reader (Vol. 1). Bejing Language and Cultural University Press.
2002. Both textbook and workbook.
Three-ringed binder, pens and pencils.
Photocopied Character Paper (5 sample sheets will be provided).
The New Practical Chineses Reader (Vol II) will be used beginning in the Semester 2.
V.
Expectations
o A cooperative and productive attitude toward learning, in this case, the Chinese language.
It takes effort and practice to do anything well, so be prepared and willing to make the
effort to succeed in this class and everything else you do. Own up (to the responsibility)
and step up (to the challenge).
o A respectful and considerate attitude toward your classmates, your teacher, and yourself.
In other words, if you don’t have anything nice to say (or do), don’t say it (or do it).
o Consult the Student-Parent Handbook for school policies regarding academic honesty,
late work, and extra credit (not more than 3% of semester grade). In general, do your own
work, submit it on time, don’t expect extra credit to save your grade, and don’t use
absences as crutches. Stay on top of things.
o 30 minutes per night of time spent with the language (even if you don’t have
“homework”): making or studying flashcards, practicing pronunciation or character
writing, memorizing vocabulary, preparing for an upcoming test.
VI.
Course Schedule
Semester 1: Book 1, Chapters 11 - 14
Semester II: Book II, Chapters 15 - 18
VII.
Contact Information
o The best way to reach me is school email: mahon@damien-hs.edu
o The second best way to reach me is school voicemail: (909) 596-1946, ext. 819