Confucius Institute
At the University of Kentucky
113 Bradley Hall
Lexington, KY 40506-0058
(859) 257-4607
confucius@uky.edu
SYLLABUS: CHINESE 1A
Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:00pm—6:50pm
Location TBD
Instructor:
Email:
Cell Phone:
Course Description
This is a first-semester course in beginning Chinese language. The course is designed for students
with no significant background in the Chinese language. We are going to focus on the practical use
of the language: speaking, listening, reading and writing Chinese characters. The class will focus
on training students’ abilities to distinguish by ear, to write, and to pronounce all the individual
syllables in the phonetic system of Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin). Students will acquire the
ability to use basic Chinese vocabulary to make sentences, and Chinese character writing will be
required in this course. In addition, Chinese culture and art will be introduced through language
experience.
Please Note: This course may not be taken for UK credit.
Learning Outcome
By the end of the semester, students who successfully complete the course will be able to master
the whole phonetic system of Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin). Students’ accuracy rates for
aural distinction of Chinese sounds and pronunciation of Chinese words will increase to 70% .The
students will be able to recognize 100 characters and write 50 characters provided by level 1 of the
HSK vocabulary syllabus. In addition, the students can use basic sentences to express basics such as
greetings, counting, asking age, naming family members, shopping, etc. The goal of this course is to
arouse students’ interest in Chinese language and culture and to help them become equipped with
basic knowledge for deeper studies in Chinese.
Evaluation and Certification
There are two tests during the semester and a final examination at the end of the semester. Upon
passing the final examination, students will receive a “Certificate of Completion” for Chinese level
1A from UKCI. Students can also take part in the HSK (the “Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language”)
and if they have reached the corresponding level, are eligible for scholarships to travel or study in
China. In addition, students also have the opportunity to go on a subsidized trip to China.
A Gateway for Chinese Language, Culture, and Art
(859) 257-4523  uky.edu/international/confucius_institute  confucius@uky.edu
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Text
Xiaoxing Zhu, Experiencing Chinese (Living in China), Textbook, 1 CD
Haiyan Song, Experiencing Chinese (Living in China), Workbook, 1 CD
Required Supplies
Ring binder, writing instruments, lined writing paper, a bilingual dictionary.
Student Responsibilities

Punctual attendance of all scheduled classes.

Preparation for every scheduled class, including advanced reading, exercises, one
presentation, compositions, and the timely submission of all assignments.

Active participation in all class activities.
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All the information regarding the class will be sent to the email accounts you provide to the
instructor at the beginning of this course. Please make sure your email accounts work well
as it is your responsibility to check your mailboxes on a regular basis in order to receive
important information and reminders.
UK International Center events are frequently photographed for promotional and archival
purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform a member of the UKCI staff.
A Gateway for Chinese Language, Culture, and Art
(859) 257-4523  uky.edu/international/confucius_institute  confucius@uky.edu
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