Language modules focus on developing students' communicative competence in four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) to equip students with a working and flexible knowledge of the target language and a firm level of communicative competence and confidence. By the end of the module students will be equipped to understand and use mandarin Chinese with a degree of flexibility and a range to an intermediate language level (comparable overall to an upper B1 level on the CEFR).
The curriculum will focus on real-life communication as a university student studying in China, by using complex expressions in an appropriate style of speaking. This includes expressing general culture related customs such as weddings traditions, Chinese traditional clothes, and Chinese cuisines, renting accommodation, describing a room and negotiating prices. Students also read and listen to some simple news articles to understand relatively familiar topics in newspapers. Students will be exposed to the grammar that are useful when communicating with Mandarin Chinese native speakers for these topic areas.
Total Contact Hours: 30
Total Private Study Hours: 120
Total Study Hours: 150
Main assessment methods
In Course Test, Speaking (Oral) – 20%
Assignment: Language Skills – 80%
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework (Equivalent to 1,000 Mandarin Chinese Character)
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 read and write approximately an additional 250 Mandarin Chinese characters at a level equivalent to an intermediate level;
2 demonstrate a familiarity with Mandarin Chinese vocabulary equivalent to an intermediate level;
3 demonstrate a strong understanding of the main points of standard authentic materials in the target language on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, university and leisure;
4 express cogent arguments and exchange information, demonstrating a flexible range of vocabulary and structures on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life in the target language;
5 demonstrate a systematic understanding and acquisition of detailed and coherent knowledge of the life and multiple cultures of the target language countries within the context of study.
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 communicate ideas clearly independently;
2 demonstrate deeper intercultural awareness and understanding.
Students who complete this module successfully can progress onto WOLA5620 Mandarin Chinese Upper Intermediate.
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