September 6, 2011
Penncrest High School
Chinese (I) Language Course
Teacher:
Sandra Lin ( Lín Lǎoshī )
Phone Number: 610-627-6277
E-mail Address: slin@rtmsd.org
Homework Hotline: 610-627-8077
On-line Account: http://www.betterchinese.com
Textbook:
Discovering Chinese, Volume 1 & II, Simplified Chinese (3rd ed.). (2009).
Palo Alto, CA: Better Chinese Ltd.
I. General Introduction
In this course, students will be on the journey of learning Mandarin Chinese. China has a
population of 1.3 billion, consisting of various national minorities, each of which has its
own, distinct language. Mandarin Chinese is the most widely used, and is therefore
considered the modern official language of China. This course will enhance your abilities
to use Mandarin Chinese in daily contexts, as well as your understanding of Chinese
culture.
II. Course Objectives
This course is designed to teach basic language skills through listening , speaking, reading,
and writing modern Chinese, with an emphasis on conversational activities at the
beginning level. It will provide you with the basic Chinese vocabulary needed for daily
conversation. Students will study both Hanyu Pinyin and Chinese character texts.
Pronunciation, intonation, and basic grammatical construction of Mandarin Chinese are
also focused on. Students are expected to spend time working on their listening, speaking,
reading, and Chinese word processing skills. The major objectives of this course are:
Linguistic goals
 Students will become familiar with basic Chinese characters, the Chinese
phonic system, and Chinese grammar.
 Students will be able to complete writing and listening exercises.
 Students will be able to further develop their comprehensive skills through
supplementary materials.
 Students will be able to write compositions related to the reading materials.
Communicative goals
 Students will be able to present their reports in Chinese both orally and in
writing.
 Students will be able to apply Chinese conversation in both formal and
informal contexts.
Cultural goals
 Students will be able to identify, describe and understand various aspects of
Chinese culture, lifestyles, and social-cultural conventions.
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Students will be able to read and comprehend selected literary and cultural
materials.
III. Materials in Class:
In a One-inch, three-ring Binder with Pockets:
 5 Dividers: “Worksheets,” “Characters,”
“Projects,” and “Tests & Quizzes”
 Workbook (Discovering Chinese, Vol. I & II)
“Additional
Handouts,”
One Three-inch, three-ring Binder with Pocket for materials from prior
year(s) & prior marking period(s)
Supplies in class:
 Pencils & an Eraser
 I pack of 4 Color Dry Erase Markers
 3 by 5 index vocabulary cards
*Daily homework – completed before class
If you come to class without one of the above items on any given day, you will lose
class participation points.
V. Classroom Expectation & Spirit:


Be prepared for class (this includes completing homework and studying)
Focus and Speak as much Chinese as possible!!!
敬 （jìng): Respect
乐
( lè) : Enjoyment
恒 ( héng): Perseverance
VI. Grading:
In Chinese class, the grade, a student receives, reflects his or her effort and achievement
towards becoming proficient in the language. This is measured during a variety of
activities: listening, speaking, reading and writing in Chinese, completing projects on
cultural materials, and participating in conversations. Work is done both individually and
in groups.
Your approximate % of Quarterly Grade will be determined as follows:
1. Participation/class work (20%): Class work, such as reading, writing, listening
and speaking assignments completed during class, may be evaluated for a grade.
2. Projects (15%): There are several small projects each marking period to be
accumulated into 2 big theme projects for the year: “All About Me” and “Let me
Tell You about Chinese Festivals.”
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3. Homework (20%): Homework is assigned to help students to practice the materials
presented each day. You need to record homework dates on top of your homework.
You are always expected to hand in your best work. Homework will be graded for
completion.
4. Quizzes (20%): Quizzes are given to ensure that students are progressing.
5. Unit Tests (25%): Unit tests are always announced at least two days in advance.
You need to record test dates in your planner. There are listening, speaking,
reading, and writing on each test. Be prepared by keeping up with your assignments
and paying attention during class.
*There will be a mid-term and a final. Combined, these will count as 1/5 of your final
grade for this course.
*Your points will be converted to a percentage. See the Penncrest Handbook for the
conversion of percentages to letter grades.
Student Responsibility for Make-up Work following an excused absence:
1. It is your responsibility to obtain the in-class and homework assignments from
on-line posting in betterchinese.com and the homework hotline. You will
receive credit only if submitted upon the day of your return.
2. It is your responsibility to arrange for a time to make up tests and quizzes if
you are absent on the day the assessment is given. All tests and quizzes must be
taken by the end of the school day after your return, but at the teacher’s discretion,
an extension will be approved.
3. A “0” on your report card indicates an item that you did not submit when due, such
as a project.
4. Failure to turn in an assignment that you have the right to make up will also
result in a “0,” however these assignment will appear as a “z” on the progress
report.
5. One letter grade per day is deducted for lateness on projects.
Study Tips:
1. Memorization: Memorization is the main task in learning a new language.
Develop a system that helps you learn new words. Many students use flash cards or
make practice quizzes. Using all of your senses may help you remember your
vocabulary. Make sure that you can recognize it, say it, read it, and write it.
2. Be a copycat: Try to mimic the sounds I make when I speak! Soon your
pronunciation will be incredible.
3. Using class time wisely: You should pay attention in class, ask questions, be an
active participant, learn from other students, and answer questions in your mind
even if you weren’t called on!
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4. Keep up!!! Do not fall behind!!! Get your homework done. Practice your
vocabulary and grammar 10-15 minutes every night. If you bump into a roadblock,
please come to me for extra help as soon as possible!
I have received and read the syllabus for Chinese Language and understand
the course requirements.
Student Name
Student Signature
Parent/Guidant Name
Parent/Guidant Signature
Parent Email
Student Email
Contact Person(s) and Number(s): (Please indicate the Best time to contact)
What other Foreign Language(s) has been taken or is taken by the student?
What school (a) sport(s), (b) club(s), or/and (c) position(s) is the student involved in?
If family member(s) has taken Chinese in Penncrest, please indicate his/her name!
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Please sign and return this portion. The rest should be placed in the student’s
binder.
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