OVERVIEW

The course introduces the student to the study of Chinese language (putonghua) written and spoken: phonetics, writing, grammar and syntax, conversation / Level A1 - Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (汉语 水平 考试),  providing the correct use of the essential elements of Chinese grammar aimed at formulating simple conversations in standard situations through the use of a basic vocabulary.
It also provides an introduction to Chinese culture (history, philosophy, geography, economics, sociology) with particular focus on Chinese economic relations (training for intercultural and inter-company relations with China).

40 students will have access to the course. Registration will take place through Aulaweb starting from the second half of September 2021

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic knowledge of modern Chinese language (CEFR level A1). The students will be able to describe the grammatical categories and structures learnt and will acquire a basic vocabulary for the production of simple oral and written sentences. They will be able to produce simple written texts and initiate oral communication on familiar topics. they will have acquired knowledge of the phonetics of the modern Chinese language and the pinyin transcription system. They will be able to use bilingual paper and digital dictionaries.

They will also be provided with the necessary tools  for understanding the fundamental aspects of Chinese culture, between tradition and modernity, and to prepare them for the management of intercultural and inter-company relations with China.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

As regards the part concerning the teaching of modern Chinese language, the course aims to bring the student to Level A1 of the common European reference framework for the knowledge of languages (understanding and using expressions of daily use, possessing a basic vocabulary, present yourself and others, meet basic communication needs) and be able to continue studying the language.

The course includes the learning of phonetics, with particular attention to the tonal qualities of syllables, the transcription system with Latin characters (pinyin), the study of characters (traits, writing rules, etymology and word formation). The student will have to prove that he/she has reached the second level of the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), a level examination certified by the government of the People's Republic of China and recognised internationally. They will be able to translate elementary written texts (from Italian into Chinese and vice versa) and produce a basic oral conversation. The course provides a study methodology related to the different areas of learning and the multiple contents presented. Hence, attendance is compulsory (80% minimum) and active participation in the lessons is required in order to achieve the objectives set and to critically review the information acquired.

The course also aims to provide cultural knowledge on topics related to history, geography, society, philosophy, economics, and politics useful to facilitate inter-company relations with Chinese companies, being aware of how cultural factors influence communication . The aim of the course is to stimulate the acquisition of communication skills at a linguistic level and an understanding of Chinese culture that can be useful in various work situations.

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisites are not required

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of 24 lectures for a total of 48 hours. Attendance is compulsory (at least 80%).
The course will be delivered through face-to-face lessons, blended lessons (face-to-face and online) with compulsory attendance according to the variations of the health and epidemiological situation and according to the provisions dictated by the Department of Economics.
Lectures (study of the basic elements of modern Chinese language, grammar, phonetics, syntax), exercises, character writing tests, conversations in the language, use of the dictionary, simulations of the HSK1-HSK2 exam, in-depth thematic studies.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Course program:

- Introduction to the study of written and spoken modern Chinese (putonghua).

- The four fundamental aspects of the language: Xie (write), Du (read), Ting (listen), Shuo (speak).

- Structure of Chinese language.

- Basics of grammar and syntax.

- Sentence structure and basic communication.

- Writing: traits and composition of characters.

- Phonetic transcription systems.

- Use of the dictionary and writing using PC.

- Phonetic and tonal system.

- Listening exercise, pronunciation and articulation of sounds.

- Construction of a phrasebook for a basic communication.

- Dialogue based on everyday situations.

- Characters of Chinese thought, between tradition and modernity.

- The "middle country" and the challenge of the future.

- Tradition and progress.

- State, society, individual.

- Relationship systems.

- Social training and individual training.

- Rules of conduct and intercultural relations.

- Politics ed economy in China

- The universe of symbols.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Notes on grammar and other teaching materials  (exercises, audio, vocabulary cards, articles on economics, politics, history...) will be available on Aulaweb.
Bibliography and suggestions of readings will be provided during class hours and available on Aulaweb

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

EMANUELA PATELLA (President)

ANNA FRANCA SCIOMACHEN

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester 2021-2022

Tuesday and Wednesday 15-17

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written examination of suitability.

The exam will consist of a series of exercises similar to those carried out in class during the year: *translations from Italian into Chinese and from Chinese into Italian, *character recognition, *character insertion exercises within sentences, *reconstruction and putting sentences in order. At the end of the written test, the students will be interviewed to demonstrate that they had acquired the fundamental elements of grammar presented during the course and the content of the written test will be analysed.
In order to sit the exam it is necessary to have attended 80% of the lessons.
Updates regarding the examination procedure (in case of changes in the health and epidemiological situation) will be communicated on Aulaweb

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of depth of each subject will be given during the lessons.
The aptitude test will verify the effective acquisition of the basic level of modern Chinese language (character recognition, stroke order and writing, grammar knowledge, basic vocabulary, effective achievement of skills related to written production through comprehension and translation of a text, linguistic analysis, pronunciation).

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

At the end of the course the student will be able to take the level 1 of the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), an internationally recognized exam of the level of competence of the Chinese language mainly dedicated to non-native speakers. During the course all necessary information will be provided to support it and further teaching materials will be provided.