HU199 Conversational Mandarin Chinese (3 credits)
Summer A 2008 ERAU Study Abroad China
May 13-June 12 in Beijing, Xi An, and Qin Huang Dao
Instructor
Hong Zhan
Department of Humanities and Communications
College of Arts and Sciences (Prescott Campus)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86301
Contact
Email: zhan121@erau.edu
Office: AC1(Building 74) Room 313
Phone: 928-777-3945
Fax: 928-777-3702
Course Description
This course emphasizes experiential learning: learning by doing. It will train students the
ability to converse with local Chinese on certain, well-defined practical topics, and
recognize some key words and phrases in restaurant menus, road signs, etc. Given the
fact that students may be of different linguistic levels, the course will provide small group
learning environment and individualized assignments. The course counts as a lower-level
Asian Studies course and one of the four language courses required by Global Studies
program.
Prerequisites: None.
Course Goals: This course will provide an ideal native environment for learning
Mandarin Chinese. By the end of the course, students should have overcome secondlanguage learning anxiety to a great extent, and should be able to engage in some basic
daily dialogues, recognize some useful Chinese characters, and understand the cultural
background underpinning the use of Mandarin Chinese.
Performance Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to
demonstrate their capacity to do the following:
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Pronounce words with near-native tone
Gain or update vocabulary
Converse with native Chinese on certain basic topics
Get around in local Chinese places by themselves
Know the right contexts for the use of language.
Required materials:
 Textbook: To be decided
 One three-hole notebook; one pocket size notebook. (notebooks can be purchased
in China)
Recommended materials:
A pocket size of English-Chinese dictionary is highly recommended.
Class Schedule (Tentative)
Week 1: Chinese Currency, Shopping, and Greetings
Week 2: Dining out and Directions
Week 3: All About Me
Week 4: Making Friends
Week 5: Time and Weather
Please note that partial content about Chinese currency will be taught online. Interactive
self-learning materials will be sent to you in April.
Grading:
P/ F grade. You get a pass if you attend every class, perform every field task, and pass
every daily oral quiz. Daily quiz will be given at the beginning of class by randomly
asking a certain number of students to report their field tasks or answer questions in
Chinese. If your name is called and you are not in class, you automatically fail the
course. You can also fail the course due to TWO absences without an acceptable excuse
(only the excuse for health problems is considered acceptable).