Saugus High Mandarin Class

Course Description & Textbook Material Introduction

Mandarin Chinese 1 & 2:

Level 1 class is an introduction course for students who have none or little prior knowledge in Mandarin Chinese language. Computer-based technology and online course materials are an integral part of the instruction in this class. Students will be able to write the Chinese characters by hand and type on the computer. Students will continue to expand their knowledge and gain more skills in the target language in Level 2 course, and be able to communicate with people in Chinese in a simple form.

The textbook we use for level one and two classes is "Integrated Chinese 1" 4th Edition. The Integrated Chinese (IC) series is an internationally acclaimed Mandarin Chinese language course that delivers a cohesive system of print and digital resources for highly effective teaching and learning. First published in 1997, it is now the leading series of Chinese language learning resources in the United States and beyond. Through its holistic focus on the language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, IC teaches novice and intermediate students the skills they need to function in Chinese.The national standards for foreign language learning in the 21st century focus on goals in five areas—communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. The delivery of IC via the new ChengTsui WebApp elevates the teaching and learning experience by presenting multimedia and interactive content in a truly blended and integrated way.

Mandarin Chinese 1 lessons:

Basics: - Syllabic Structure, Pinyin, and Pronunciation

- Writing system

- Useful expressions

Lessons: - Exchanging greetings

- Where are you from?

- Looking at a family photo

- Discussing family

- Out for a birthday dinner

- Dinner invitation

- Discussing hobbies

- Let's play ball

- Visiting a friend's place

- At a friend's place

Mandarin Chinese 2 lessons:

Lessons: - Calling your teacher

- Calling a friend for help

- How did you do on the exam?

- Preparing for Chinese class

- A typical school day

- Writing to a friend

- Shopping for clothes

- Exchanging shoes

- Going home for winter vacation

- Thanks for the ride

Mandarin Chinese 3:

Students will be capable and comfortable to communicate with native Chinese with confidence, as well as be prepared for AP Chinese class and AP Chinese Test.

The textbook material for level 3 class is "Hanyu for Intermediate Students Stage 2". This intermediate level student book for learners of Mandarin Chinese is the third in the Hanyu series, a complete set of course materials that takes a communicative approach to teaching Chinese. The course is designed for junior or senior high school studentsor for anyone looking for a way to use the Chinese language to communicate in your immediate environment. The emphasis is on communicating in practical, everyday situations, with an underlying functional base. Topics relate to a typical students daily life at school, and among friends and family. Around these topics, each unit presents a series of dialogues which serve as models of language use, and which are supported by activities, exercises, grammar explanations and cultural notes. Hanyu combines speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills within its colorful, fully-illustrated pages, and includes learning activities like songs, stories, and discussion topics.

Mandarin Chinese 3 lessons:

- Unit 1: It's holidays!

1.1: Talking about school holidays

1.2: Talking about the seasons

1.3: Celebrating the New Year!

1.4: More Celebrations

- Unit 2: Could you tell me the way to the cinema?

2.1: Asking for and giving directions

2.2: Expressing "near" and "far"

2.3: Numbers 10000 to 100 million

2.4: Expressing "How far"

2.5: Traveling by bus

- Unit 3: Let's go shopping!

3.1: Let's go shopping

3.2: Asking where something can be bought

3.3: Asking for something in a shop

3.4: How much does it cost?

3.5: Making comparisons

- Unit 4: I'm not feeling very well

4.1: Saying you do not feel well

4.2: Expressing temperature and asking for leave

4.3: At the doctors

Mandarin Chinese AP class: AP Chinese Language and Culture

The AP Chinese Language and Culture course in Mandarin Chinese emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP Chinese Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Chinese. The AP Chinese Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).

The course content is organized into six units, which create an interesting, meaningful context for learning. The suggested sequence is as follows:

■ Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

■ Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

■ Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

■ Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

■ Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

■ Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

Course Skills: The following skill categories describe what skills students should develop during the course:

■ Comprehend Texts: Comprehend written, audio, audiovisual, and visual text (text and pictures).

■ Make Connections: Make cultural and interdisciplinary connections.

■ Interpret Text: Interpret the content of written or audio text (words).

■ Make Meanings: Make meanings from words and expressions.