2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EAST2015 Chinese 2A

20 Credits Class Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Ying Peng
Email: y.peng@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

Year Abroad Chinese or equivalent

Mutually Exclusive

EAST5290M Chinese 2A

Module replaces

EAST2012/2013 EAST2022/2023

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is a comprehensive course of upper-intermediate language skills, which provides students with the opportunity to improve their Chinese linguistic and communicative competence through newspaper readings, a systematic study of some main features of Chinese grammar, translation between Chinese and English, listening comprehension, interpersonal communication and oral interpretation. It combines traditional classroom teaching with independent learning and group work using VLE and other online resources. It will broaden students’ thematic vocabulary; improve their linguistic sense in accordance with various topical and stylistic contexts; and develop their written and spoken skills to a more advanced level.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to develop students' language skills to a more advanced level that is essential to their Level 3 study, future career and ability to act as cross-cultural intermediaries. On completion of this module, students should be able to have a good command of modern Chinese grammar, to read and understand original modern Chinese texts of various styles, to translate and paraphrase between English and Chinese, to listen and understand normal spoken Chinese, and to speak Chinese more fluently and naturally.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Have a good range of vocabulary, idioms and collocations;
2. Consolidate the use of certain grammatical structures;
3. Read and comprehend various discourses written in Chinese especially newspapers and journalistic articles;
4. Express themselves more accurately, coherently and confidently on familiar topics either in a written or spoken form;
5. Translate and interpret materials of intermediate level between Chinese and English;
6. Have a better understanding of the contexts in which the materials studied in the course were produced;
7. Develop their own approach to process information presented in a written, audio or visual form.

Skills outcomes

Translation and interpretation skills

Syllabus

Teaching and learning in this module will cover the following points:
1) studying and reinforcing some main features of Chinese grammar through practical exercises which illustrate the grammatical structures under discussion;
2) discussing certain differences between the Chinese and English languages; studying basic translation approaches with intensive translation exercises from English to Chinese;
3) reading current Chinese journalistic discourses and summarizing the gist of these into English in order to develop students' reading skills and skills of processing and analyzing information presented in Chinese;
4) listening to/watching audio or audio-visual materials on general social issues in Chinese society or worldwide; giving presentations and participating in debates or group discussions; interpreting between Chinese and English.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 20 1 20
Practical 20 1 20
Seminar 20 1 20
Independent online learning hours 10
Private study hours 130
Total Contact hours 60
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

Previewing reading materials in advance to understand the gist of them;
Completing translation or grammar exercises in order to participate in class discussion;
Preparing oral presentations and interpreting tasks;
Making use of online learning materials to improve vocabulary and reading skills;
Revising after class.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Weekly self-assessed translation or grammar exercises (using model answers).
Weekly practical classes giving opportunities for students to ask questions and for teaching staff to give oral feedback.
Weekly speaking classes giving students opportunities to interpret or make oral presentations in a small group. Their performance will be monitored and comments provided by teachers and fellow students.
Twice a semester their translation or writing work will be handed in and checked by teaching staff. Written feedback will be given.

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S1) 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins 80
Listening exam 1.0 Hrs 0 Mins 20
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 4/28/2023

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team