On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• express yourself in writing using more sophisticated and descriptive vocabulary and structures, including a limited number of four-character phrases;
• deploy a greater range of grammatical function words related to the manner in which actions are carried out and/or completed, identifying the appropriate structure to apply when talking about past events;
• engage with and respond to a selection of aural material;
• answer general questions orally;
• complete an unseen practical task describing past events using spoken Mandarin.
  

In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:

• revision and expansion of sentence particle and verb suffix le;
• experiential guo;
• the shi…de… construction;
• the directional complement;
• verbs of locomotion;
• comparative forms;
• the predicative complement;
• the complement of degree;
• the resultative complement.

These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:

• travel;
• language learning;
• calligraphy and art;
• family and social relationships;
• study and work.

In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology; in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and include: Pair work and group work; individual tasks (face-to-face and online); discovery and formulation of rules; work with texts, audio and video material to develop learning and communicative skills. Homework and formative assessment tasks give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills and to develop an awareness of how to use language learning tools independently.

Feedback on pieces of formative assessment will be given within two weeks of submission. Feedback on examinations 1 & 2 will be given within two weeks. Feedback on the third examination (listening) will only be given if time allows.

• Examination (20%): Essay (250-300 characters), minimum one hour, term 2.
• Examination (20%): In-class Grammar Gap-fill test 40-60 minutes. Students select vocabulary items/function words from a list and place them in the correct position in the sentences (between 10 and 20 in number) given. Term 2.
• Examination (20%): Listening (Monologue or dialogue of a maximum of 8 minutes, repeated once or twice as appropriate), followed by questions on comprehension. Towards the end of Term 2.
• Practical (40%): Oral (20 minutes consisting of an unseen practical conversation task followed by general questions). At the end of Term 2 or in the summer term.

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Coursebooks: Colloquial Chinese* by P.C. T’ung and D.E. Pollard, Routledge, 1982; and the accompanying Character Text for Colloquial Chinese (Simplified Character Version), prepared by P.C. T’ung.  ISBN 0-415-01860-9

*Available on Leganto as an e-book