School of Social and Human Sciences
Multi Language Learning Center
Introduction to Mandarin Chinese Seminar
Course Professor: Prof. YUAN Lulu
Email: yvonneluaibi@gmail.com
Phone: (787) 257-7373 Ext. 3210
Office: Multi Languages Learning Center
Seminar designed by: Prof. YUAN Lulu, Prof. Sandra Mirabal, Prof. Glenda I. Garcia
Contact hours: 4 hours a week x 5 weeks (20 hours) from October 15 to November 14, 2013
I. Description
The course is an introduction to basic oral communication in Mandarin Chinese. Practice is facilitated through
the use of Mandarin Pinyin. The culture and festivities of China, its writing system, places of interest and proper
etiquette will be described.
II. Justification
Against the profound cultural background, Chinese is spoken by the largest number of over 1.6 billion people
(including overseas Chinese). Studying Chinese becomes a worldwide tendency now along with the rapid allaround development of China. Since the communication between China and the Western world, in particular
with the Caribbean increases, it is really helpful for individuals to have at least some basic understanding of
Mandarin Chinese.
III. Objectives
At the end of the seminar, students will be able to:
 Understand oral and written basic texts in Mandarin Pinyin
 Communicate orally using basic Mandarin Pinyin
 Use vocabulary and grammar of basic Mandarin Pinyin
 Acquire the basic tone system of the Mandarin Chinese language to enable communication
 Determine similarities and differences in cultural aspects between China and Puerto Rico
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IV. Course contents*
Week #
Week 1
Oct.15 & Oct.17
Week 2
Oct.22 & Oct.24
Focus topic
Topic: Greetings
Grammar structures and vocabulary
Good morning, etc
Cultural Tip:
Tour of China: An
Overview
Mandarin Chinese Phonetic System: vowels
Topic: Self Presentation
Mandarin Chinese Phonetic System: consonants
Cultural Tip: Etiquette
Name, Occupation, Nationality (Ex. Zhongguo, Bodolige)
Numbers 1-31
Verb to be
Pronouns (Singular and Plurals)
Week 3
Oct.29 & Oct.31
PPT of festivals
Week 4
Nov.5 & Nov.7
Topic: Vacations in China
Days, months, seasons and dates
Cultural Tip: Festivities
Happy Birthday Song
Topic: Traveling within
China
Means of Transportation vocabulary
Places in Community
Presentation
Cultural Tip: Famous sites
around China
Asking and giving directions
Location adverbs (Ex. zuobian, youbian, fujin, houmian)
Week 5
Topic: At a restaurant
Nov. 12& Nov.14 Measurements
Cultural Tip:
Chinese Food
Dining etiquette
Verb: to want, to like
Adjectives (Ex. Haochi, xiang, haohe)
Reading a Menu
Food
(Ex. Jiaozi, hongshaorou, fan, tang)
*Subject to change
V. Teaching strategies
The following are a sample of how the course will be conducted.
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Power point and Oral presentations
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Readings: texts and poems; scripts and dialogues
Videos, music and songs
Props
VI. Assessment Strategies
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Brief research
Acting dialogues
VII. Textbooks: Not required but Mandarin Video Series are available on You tube, for example:
 Survival Mandarin by MinnaXiao
 Beginner Chinese by MinnaXiao
 Learn Chinese (mandarin) with Yangyang by sloppycheng
 Mandarin Impossible by David Qing
Smartphones Apps:
 Hello-Hello Language on the Go: Chinese Mandarin (one lesson free)
 Chinese English Dictionary
 Chinese Flash Cards Basics (By Declan Software)
 Pinyin CSLPOD
 Mindsnacks Mandarin (one lesson free)
VIII. Evaluation
The Chinese Mandarin Seminar will be evaluated as follows:
1. Holistic Rubric for Language production and Comprehension, Participation and Attendance
2. Short written examinations
Concept
Midterm listening comprehension
Presentation of places in China
Presentation of Chinese festivals
Final: Holistic rubric to assess performance: Oral production,
Auditory comprehension, Participation, Attendance
%
25
25
25
25
IX: Tips on language learning
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Repetition is something really important in learning a new language. Quantity Breeds Quality. Resembling
going upstairs, when a certain amount of knowledge has been accumulated, you would step on a new step.
Don’t be upset when everything seems to remain unchanged. It takes time from quantity to quality. Be
patient and keep moving forward.
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Imagine to be situated in the real situation. That helps a lot.
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Should you have any difficulties, please feel free to let the teacher know, we shall make some arrangements
for you. Contact by email yvonneluaibi@gmail.com
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Never be shy to speak aloud. Practice makes perfect. The best way to learn is to make mistakes. Exposing
faults means there would be no faults in the future.
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