Chinese IV/AP Chinese Language and Culture
St Francis High School
SYLLABUS
COURSE OVERVIEW
Chinese IV/AP Chinese Language and Culture is a full-year course that refines and further
develops students’ abilities in Chinese oral and formal written communication. It also provides
an introduction to literary Chinese and ancient Chinese literature. We use the textbooks
Integrated Chinese by Liu Yuehua and Tao-chung Yao, and Jia You: Chinese for the Global
Community by Xu Jialu and Chen Fu, as well as articles from Chinese newspapers and teacher
handouts.
The class is conducted almost entirely in Chinese and students are required to hone their
speaking skills through structured and informal activities. Language skills are improved through
group and individual presentation, debates, discussions, and written compositions and essays.
The first six minutes of each class is devoted to oral drills using the Rassias Method and/or
TPRS-Storytelling method. Students develop written skills and practice grammar through biweekly compositions. Listening skills are developed during class discussions, viewing films and
movies, and listening to recordings done by native Chinese speakers. Reading skills are
improved through various readings of essays and articles, newspaper articles, advertisements,
biographies, plays and poetry. For those students committed to taking the AP exam in May,
additional assignments that reflect the advanced nature of this work are assigned and graded,
including practice AP exams from previous years. There are individual student semester projects
and an end-of-the-year class project.
FALL SEMESTER
Week
Dates
1
8/138/14
2
8/178/21
3
8/248/28
Lesson Objective
(L = Lesson)
Orientation
Content or Theme
Notes
Introduction to the
course
School starts on Thursday,
August 13
L11: Use target
Language to describe
transportation.
AP: Jia You, L1
L11: Support descriptions
with details.
AP Jia You L1 Shaolin
Temple
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar
Quiz on L11 vocabulary.
AP Jia You: Quiz on L1.
Text/translation, L11
exercises, composition
on taking transportation.
AP Jia You: exercises,
composition on sports.
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar
Students write a composition
Every two weeks, handwritten or word processed.
Quiz on L11.
4
8/319/4
L12: Use target language
to describe going
out to eat.
AP Jia You L2: Sports
5
9/89/11
L 12: Support
descriptions
with details. AP Jia You:
L2: Sports
Text/translation, L12
Exercise and
composition.
Text/translation, AP L2
1
Introduce Tang poetry.
Students select poem
to translate and memorize. Quiz on L12
vocab. AP L2
vocabulary.
Labor Day Sept. 7.
Students write a composition
describing how they get back
and forth from school or work.
Exercise and
composition.
AP: Students write a composition on
playing a particular sport they like.
L13 Use target
language to get around in
the library.
AP Jia You L3:
The Beijing Teahouse
Supplementary materials:
Read Story on
mid-autumn festival.
Newspaper clippings.
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
Quiz on L 13 and AP L3 vocabulary.
Read story about
Mid-Autumn festival.
Students cut out Chinese
advertisement and
translate it.
8
9/2810/2
L13: support descriptions
with details. AP Jia You:
L3. Teahouse.
Text/translation, L13 &
AP: Exercise and
composition.
9
10/510/9
L14 Use target language
to ask directions.
AP Jia You L 4:
Weddings and clothing.
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
Mid-Autumn Festival, Sept 26.
Students search the internet for
information on the origins of the midautumn festival.
Students individually write a
composition comparing the
mid-autumn festival
with a local American festival.
Fall Break Oct 1-2.
L13: Students and teacher go to the
library and describe how to go about
finding and borrowing a book.
AP L3: Students research tea culture in
China and give a demonstration.
First Quarter Exam Oct. 8.
L14 & AP L4: Quiz on vocabulary.
Students act out treasure hunt by giving
directions to student. Students write a
composition on modern modes of
transportation.
6
9/149/18
7
9/219/25
L14: support descriptions
10
10/12- with details. Directions.
10/16 AP Jia You L4: Weddings
Text/translation, L14 &
AP L4: Exercise and
composition.
Supplemental materials:
11
10/19- Tang poetry and history.
10/23
Read biography of
selected poet. Translate
an advertisement from
newspaper or magazine.
L15: Birthday party. Use
12
10/26- target language to
10/30 describe a party. AP Jia
You L5: Chinese in Fun.
L15: support descriptions
13
11/2- with details: Birthday. AP
11/6
L5: Chinese is Fun
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
L16: Seeing a doctor. Use
target language to
describe going to see a
doctor. AP Jia You L6:
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
14
11/911/13
Text/translation, L15 &
AP L5: Exercise and
composition. Chinese
zodiac.
2
L14: short oral performance on getting
from A to B. AP L4:
Student writes a composition on
Chinese wedding customs.
Students select a Tang or other poem to
translate and memorize.
Students research an aspect of Tang
history and write a composition about it.
L15 and AP L5: Quiz on vocabulary.
L15 & AP L5: Write out a family tree
with Chinese kinship terms. (See Level
1, Part 2 pp. 266-271)
L15: Students research the Chinese
zodiac and write a composition about
their own zodiac animal. AP L5:
Students write a letter to a friend in
China.
L16 and AP L6 vocabulary quizzes.
Students research and compare Friday
the 13th with similar Chinese ideas about
luck.
My Father, Laoshe.
L16: Seeing a doctor.
15
11/16- Support descriptions with
11/20 details: seeing a doctor.
AP L6: My Father, Lao
She.
Supplemental materials.
16
11/23- Short play from Setting
11/24 the Stage for Chinese
Level 2.
L17: Dating. Use target
17
11/30- language to describe
12/4
going on a date. AP Jia
You L7: Celebrating
Chinese New Year.
L17: Support descriptions
18
12/7- with details: Dating. AP
12/11 L7: Chinese New Year.
Short play.
Text/translation, L16 &
AP L6: Exercise and
composition. Newspaper
reading.
L16: Students translate a Chinese
advertisement from a newspaper or
internet site. AP L6: Students research
in books or internet Lao She or another
famous Chinese author. Students ask
each other about the author they have
researched.
Exercise and reading
play.
Short week. Thanksgiving Break Nov.
26-27. Quiz on play vocabulary.
Students begin to memorize short play.
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
L17 and AP L7 quizzes on vocabulary.
AP L7 students research Chinese New
Year write composition comparing it to
an American or other holiday.
Text/translation, L17 &
AP L7: Exercise and
composition. Articles on
Chinese New Year.
Review Day Dec. 11. Students review
and practice short play. L17 Students
write composition describing their ideal
date (person and activity).
SPRING SEMESTER
Week
Dates
1
1/51/8
Lesson Objective
(L = Lesson)
L18: Renting an
Apartment. Use target
language to describe
renting an apartment.
AP Jia You L8: Moon
Festival.
Content or Theme
Notes
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
Prof. Devel. Day Jan. 4. L18
& AP L8: vocabulary quizzes.
Students research a Chinese festival
other than
mid-autumn festival. Students
make zongzi and jiaozi in class.
2
1/111/15
L18: Renting. AP L8: Moon
Festival. Support descriptions
with details.
Text/translation, L18
& AP L8: Exercise
and composition.
3
1/181/22
L19: At the Post Office. Use
Vocabulary, sentence
target language to describe
pattern, grammar.
going to the Post Office. AP Jia Newspaper reading.
You L9: Planning a trip to
China. Use target language to
4
1/25-
L19: Post Office. Support
descriptions with details. AP
L18: Students write a composition
describing their ideal apartment and
how to take care of it. AP L8:
Students write a composition
describing the importance
of the moon in Chinese and
American culture.
L19 & AP L9: vocabulary quizzes.
Students research Chinese postage
stamps and how to address an
envelope, and mail it. Students find a
newspaper ad and translate it. AP L9:
Students examine a map of China to
locate cities, provinces and
geographic features.
Chinese New Year Jan. 26. L19:
Students write a composition
Text/translation, L19
& AP L9: Exercise
3
1/29
L9 Support descriptions with
details.
and composition.
5
2/12/5
L20: Sports. Use target
language to describe watching
or doing a sport. AP Jia You
L10: I Climbed the Great Wall:
Use target language to describe
hiking the Great Wall.
L20: Sports. Support
descriptions with details. AP
L10: Great Wall. Support
descriptions with details.
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
History reading.
describing going to their local post
office. AP L9: Students write a
composition describing a trip to
China or one that they plan to take.
L 20 & AP L10: vocabulary quizzes.
L20 students research a popular sport
in China and give an oral
presentation about it. AP L10:
Students research the Great Wall.
Text/translation, L20
& AP L10: Exercise
and composition.
History reading.
L20: Students write a composition
why people pick up sports. AP L10
students write a newspaper article
interviewing the emperor on the
purpose and effectiveness of the
Great Wall.
L21: Travel. Use target
language to describe traveling
to a destination. AP Jia You
L11: When a Tsunami Hits.
Use target language to describe
a natural disaster.
L21: Travel. Support
descriptions with details. AP
L11: Disasters: Support
descriptions with details.
L22: Hometown. Use target
language to describe your
hometown. AP Jia You L12:
Where Will We Live
Tomorrow?
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
Newspaper reading.
10
3/153/19
L22: Hometown. Support
descriptions with details. AP
L12: Where Will We Live?
Text/translation, L22
& AP L12: Exercise
and composition.
11
3/223/26
Supplemental materials: Tang
poetry and history
12
3/294/1
L23: At the Airport. Use target
language to describe checking
in at the airport. AP Jia You
L13: The Hospitable
Read biography of
selected poet.
Translate an
advertisement from
newspaper or
magazine.
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
Play review and
practice.
L21 and AP L11: vocabulary
quizzes. L21: Students research an
animal of their choosing. AP: L11:
students research a recent natural
disaster and read news stories about
it about it.
L21: Students write a composition on
traveling to another country. AP L11:
Students write a news story on a
recent natural disaster.
L 22 and AP L12: vocabulary
quizzes. Students put together a draft
description of their hometown—
family’s and town’s history, weather,
scenery, etc. AP L12: Students
research the effects of pollution and
global warming on the planet.
Mid-term exam March 19. L22:
Students compose an essay about
their family’s history in their
hometown. AP L12: Students write a
composition on human habitation in
the 21st century.
Students select a Tang or other poem
to translate and memorize.
Students write a composition to
describe the poem’s theme and
imagery.
6
2/82/12
2/132/21
7
2/222/26
8
3/13/5
9
3/83/12
Winter Break
Text/translation, L21
& AP L11: Exercise
and composition.
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
Short play review and
practice.
4
Short week. L23 and AP L13:
vocabulary quizzes. L23 Students put
together a dialogue seeing off
someone at the airport and greeting
Southwest. Use target language
to describe minorities in China.
4/24/11
13
4/124/16
Spring Break
China Trip?
L23: At the airport. Support
descriptions with details. AP
L13: The Southwest. Support
descriptions with details.
Text/translation, L23
& AP L13: Exercise
and composition.
14
4/194/23
Integrated Chinese Level 2 Part
1, L1: Kai Xue. Use target
language to describe starting
school. AP Jia You L14:
Moving into a Modern
Apartment. Use target language
to describe moving into a new
place.
L1: Kai Xue. Support
descriptions with details. AP
L14: Moving: Support
descriptions with details.
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
Short play review and
practice.
L2: Su She. Use target
language to describe moving
into a dormitory. AP Jia You
L15: Chinese Characters. Use
target language to describe the
Chinese written language.
L2: Dormitory. Support
descriptions with details. AP
L15: Moving: Support
descriptions with details.
Supplementary materials.
Short Play performance
Vocabulary, sentence
pattern, grammar.
Short play review and
practice.
15
4/264/29
16
5/35/7
17
5/105/14
18
5/175/19
Text/translation, L23
& AP L13: Exercise
and composition.
Text/translation, L23
& AP L13: Exercise
and composition.
Performance given to
school.
Chinese IV/AP Chinese: no
classes.
them in Beijing. AP L13: Students
research a minority people in China’s
Yunnan province.
China Trip?
Short Week. L23: Students act out
airport dialogues and compose a
story about their worst experience on
an airplane. AP L13: Students write a
composition about a minority people
in Yunnan.
L1 and AP L14: vocabulary quizzes.
Students compose their own name
card. L1: Students prepare to talk
about going away to school. AP L14
Students look up several
advertisements online for rented
apartments, and write one to rent out
their own.
Short Week. Oaks Day April 30. L1:
Students write a composition about
going away to school and their
feelings about it. AP L14: Students
write a composition describing their
ideal apartment and landlord.
AP Exams May 3-14. L2 and AP
L15: vocabulary quizzes. L2:
Students research living in a dorm
and the ideal roommate. AP L15:
Students research ancient Chinese
writing.
May 14 seniors’ last day.L2 Students
write a news story about moving into
a dorm for the first time. AP L15:
Students write a composition about
the evolution of the Chinese
character. Fourth quarter exam May
11. Students participate in Chinese
play performance May 13.
Short Week. Review day May 19.
STUDENT EVALUATION
Each semester is made up of two grading periods, or quarters. Each quarter includes major
grades and daily grades. For each of the major grades, I prepare a rubric or checklist and share it
with students ahead of time.
5
Major grades account for 50 percent of the overall grade for each cycle. Major grades include
chapter quizzes (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks for grammar usage, sentence making,
translation in both Chinese and English), cultural project, compositions (one every two weeks), a
formal speech presentation, and classroom presentation.
Daily grades account for the other 50 percent of the overall grade. Daily grades include pop
quizzes, homework and flashcard organization, and newspaper article summaries.
The overall semester grade is broken down per the following:
Grade for first quarter:
Grade for second quarter:
Grade for third quarter:
Final Exam:
25%
25%
25%
25%
CULTURAL PROJECTS:
I. Cultural Presentations:
Each semester students will individually research and develop a topic related to Chinese culture
or history, such as food, festivals, peoples of China, clothing, architecture, painting, etc., using as
much as the target language as possible. The research will be presented in a 10-minute
Powerpoint or video presentation at the end of each semester.
II. Short play
The students will select, learn and perform a short play based upon a Chinese theme. The
students will make their own costumes and stage props, and perform the play at the end of the
second semester.
III. Field Trips
Field trips will be offered to travel to Washington, D.C. to see a Chinese exhibit about the First
Emperor at the National Geographic Museum, and a day trip to see the Asian galleries at the
Indianapolis Museum of Art. In addition, trips to Crane House (The Asia Institute) will also be
made.
TEACHER RESOURCES
Primary Textbooks
Liu, Yuehua, Tao-chung Yao, et al, Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 2. 3rd ed., Simplified
characters. Textbook, Workbook and Character Workbook. Boston: Cheng and Tsui Co., 2008.
Liu, Yuehua, Tao-chung Yao, et al, Integrated Chinese Level 2, Part 1. 3rd ed. Simplified
characters. Textbook, Workbook and Character Workbook. Boston: Cheng and Tsui Co., 2009.
Xu, Jialu, Chen Fu, et al. Jia You: Chinese for the Global Community. Textbooks 1 & 2.
Thompson Learning: Singapore, Boston and Beijing, 2008.
Additional Materials
6
Li Zhenjie and Wang Shixun, Newpaper Chinese ABC: An Introductory Reader. Boston: Cheng
& Tsui, 1998.
Meng, Yuanchao, Setting the Stage for Chinese Level 2. Boston: Cheng and Tsui Co., 2009.
Pocket Oxford Chinese Dictionary, 3rd ed. New York and Hong Kong: Oxford University Press,
2003.
Shen, Yan. Barron’s AP Chinese Language and Culture. Barron’s Educational Series, 2009.
Tang, Yu Hong & Zhang Yuehua, eds., Mary in Shanghai. Beijing: Peking University Press, n.d.
Waltz, Terry. Anna Mei Banfa. N.p.: Albany Language Learning, n.d.
Resource Books, History and Culture
Blunden, Caroline and Mark Elvin. Cultural Atlas of China. Checkmark Books, 1998.
Fairbank, John King and Merle Goldman. China: A New History. 2nd enlarged edition.
Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press, 2006.
Herdan, Innes, trans. The Three Hundred T’ang Poems. Taipei: Far East Book Co., 1973.
Ogden, Suzanne. Global Studies: China. 12th ed. Dubuque, Iowa: McGraw Hill Contemporary
Learning Series, 2008.
Owen, Stephen, ed. & trans. An Anthology of Chinese Literature: Beginnings to 1911. New York:
W.W. Norton, 1996.
Stepanchuk, Carol, and Charles Wong. Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts: Festivals of China. San
Francisco: China Books and Periodicals, 1991.
Other sources
Mandarin Tools: Online Chinese Tools. http://www.mandarintools.com. (Online resource for
Chinese language and culture).
China Daily. http://chinadaily.com.cn/hqzh. (Chinese newspaper China Daily online).
Beijing Review. http://beijingreveiw.com.com. (Chinese magazine Beijing Review online).
Xinhua News Agency. http://xinhuanet.com. (Chinese news agency online).
Sina.com. http://sina.com.cn. (Online magazine on the Chinese contemporary scene).
Zhongwen.com. http://www.zhongwen.com . (Online resource on Chinese writing and culture).
Films:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 2000, China/USA. Ang Lee, dir. DVD: Culver City, Calif:
Sony Pictures, 2000.
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Hero. 2002, Hong Kong/China. Zhang Yimou, dir. DVD: New York, Miramax, 2004.
The Road Home. 2000. Zhang Yimou, dir. DVD: Culver City, Calif: Sony Pictures, 2001.
To Live. 1994. Zhang Yimou, dir. DVD: MGM, 2003.
The King of Masks. 1999. Wu Tianming, dir. DVD: Culver City, Calif., Sony Pictures, 2000.
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