Chinese Link 中文天地: Simplified character version. Beginning. Chinese. Level 1
Part 1. 2 Ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011. Wu, Su-mei, et al. Chinese Link ...
Bishop Stang High School 2012-2013 College Prep A Chinese I CHINESE 260 Ms. Burakowski
[email protected] 508-996-5602 ext. 440 Course Description This is an introductory course in Mandarin Chinese intended for students with no prior knowledge of any Chinese dialect. Mandarin Chinese is the official language of the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan and Singapore. It is also widely spoken throughout the Chinese Diaspora, but is one of the most difficult languages in the world for native English-speakers to master. By the end of this course, students will be able to greet others, introduce themselves, tell time, and discuss interests, the weather, future plans and celebrations. While emphasis is placed on speaking and listening, students will also acquire a working knowledge of approximately 400 characters. Students will also learn about the rich cultural heritage of one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations.
Required Materials Wu, Su-mei, et al. Chinese Link 中文天地: Simplified character version. Beginning Chinese. Level 1 Part 1. 2 Ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011. Wu, Su-mei, et al. Chinese Link 中文天地: Simplified character version. Beginning Chinese. Level 1 Part 2. Second Ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011. Wu, Su-mei, et al. Chinese Link中文天地: Simplified character version. Beginning Chinese. Student Activities Manual. Level 1 Part 1. Second Ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011. Wu, Su-mei, et al. Chinese Link中文天地: Simplified character version. Beginning Chinese. Student Activities Manual. Level 1 Part 2. Second Ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011. Wu, Su-mei, et al. Chinese Link中文天地: Traditional & Simplified Characters. Beginning Chinese. Character Book. Level 1 Part 1. Second Ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011. Wu, Su-mei, et al. Chinese Link中文天地: Traditional & Simplified Characters. Beginning Chinese. Character Book. Level 1 Part 2. Second Ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011. 3-Ring Binder with folders and a notebook Pencils and black or blue pens Earbuds/headphones
Homework Policy •
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Students should plan to have on average 30 minutes of homework a night. Homework assignments range from practicing writing characters, to workbook assignments, to brief writing, reading, listening or speaking assignments. It is extremely important to practice writing characters everyday! Homework constitutes 7.5% of the final grade and is graded on a scale of 0-5, with 5 as the highest quality and 0 as no credit. Students lose 5% off their grade for every day (including weekends and vacation days) a homework assignment is turned in late. It is extremely important that homework assignments are done on time; students may rapidly fall behind with their class work if they do not come to class prepared.
Classroom Policies and Procedures Class Atmosphere • Respect is paramount! At all times, students should demonstrate respect for their teacher, their classmates, their classroom and most importantly themselves. • Students demonstrate respect by: o listening without interrupting when others are speaking o treating their classmates’ work and ideas with care and consideration o taking their own work and ideas seriously o following the rules and policies of the classroom o not laughing, smirking, snickering or making inappropriate comments when someone makes a mistake Class Time • Students should feel free to ask relevant questions. • Students are expected to work to the best of their ability at all times. Chinese is an extremely difficult language to learn. Students must stay focused and on-task to optimize limited learning opportunities. • Socializing should be kept to a minimum and not interrupt anyone’s ability to teach or learn. Students should do their best to use new vocabulary when speaking in class. • Class participation is 7.5% of the final grade.
Assessment Students are assessed on participation, progress and product. Effort and the ability to demonstrate acquired knowledge, skills and techniques all factor into the student’s final grade. The final grade is comprised of: • 25% Formative assessments (quizzes, oral presentations) • 15% Compositions • 45% Summative assessments (tests, projects) • 7.5% Participation (active listening and speaking) • 7.5% Homework (listening, speaking, reading and writing assignments)
Attendance and Absences
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Students are expected to be on time to class everyday. Students are expected to come prepared, ready to learn with all needed materials and all assignments completed. Students are not allowed to leave the room without permission. They may not return to their lockers to retrieve something during class time. Students must present a pass if they are tardy. Students are required to make up all missed work; they should see their teacher the day they return to school to get their make-up work. Alternatively, they can email Ms. Burakowski at
[email protected] if they anticipate a prolonged period of absence. If students know they will be absent ahead of time, they should notify their teacher in advance, particularly for early sports/debate/field trip dismissals. Students have two days to make up a missed test or quiz due to an absence.
Teacher Availability Ms. Burakowski is available after school for extra help M-F from 2:15-3:00. Honor Code Academic honesty is an expected standard of behaviour in any institution of learning. Plagiarism, copying the work of other students, or using any form of notes during examinations without teacher approval are all forms of cheating. Likewise, copying the artwork of someone else or taking credit for work that is not yours is in complete violation of the honor code. All artwork and written work will include the statement, “On my honor, I have been academically honest.”
