OVERVIEW

The annual course consists of a Language Module (scheduled on the first and second semester and delivered in Italian and Chinese) and a Theoretical Module (scheduled on the second semester, delivered in Italian). The course aims to provide students with the correct use of the essential elements of Chinese grammar (phonology, morphology, syntax), aimed at formulating simple conversations in standard situations through the use of a basic lexical baggage.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing students with a basic language competence (level A2 of the CEFR) allowing them to understand and produce short, easy written texts, as well as to communicate orally in situations requiring a simple information exchange on familiar and habitual topics. At the end of the course, students will be able to use actively a basic Chinese vocabulary (about 400 words and 300 characters, that they will be able to write), will be familiar (passive competence) with some other 150 characters, will know modern Chinese standard phonology and the system to transcribe it into Latin characters (Hanyu pinyin), as well as the principles of character ordering in Chinese bilingual dictionaries.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will focus on the study of the fundamental elements in the construction of simple phrases, on the learning of phonetics, with particular regard to the tonal features of the language, the pinyin phonetic transcription system, the study of Chinese and the rules of the writing system.

At the end of the course, students will have to demonstrate that they have achieved adequate morphological, syntactic and lexical knowledge of the language, equivalent to the second level of Hanyu Shuping Kaoshi (HSK), or Chinese Language Level Exam,  the international certification issued by the government of the PRC.

Students must also be able to apply the notions learned in reading elementary written texts in Chinese, as well as in the oral production in of content consistent with the second level HSK. With the acquired knowledge, students will be able to work independently on the learnt subjects, contextualizing his / her skills within a given topic.

At the end of the course, students must therefore be able to express themselves clearly, displaying the acquired knowledge using the relevant and appropriate vocabulary. They will be able to develop an adequate study methodology aimed at understanding the various contents presented during the course. Attendance to the course and active participation during classworks is therefore highly recommended, in order to gradually shape a suitable learning process.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of:

100 hrs. of Lettorato (first and second semester), frontal teaching for the basic elements of the Chinese language, with exercises aimed at acquiring adequate skills in writing Chinese characters, in the use of the dictionary, and in the development of both spoken and written language skills.

30hrs. Theoretical Module (second semester), frontal teaching focused on some topics of basic Chinese grammar and syntax, taken up in greater detail with particular attention to some issues regarding the learning of the Chinese language as L2.

Attendance of both Lettorato and Theoretical Module is strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course consists of:

1) Language module (both semesters) centered on: a) basic elements of Chinese writing and vocabulary required for HSK1 and HSK2 (approximately CERF A1 and A2 levels); b) introduction to phonetics and pinyin transcription; c) development of skills for elementary conversations in simple situations.

2) Theoretical module (second semester) on general topics of Chinese grammar and syntax. This module will focus on the basic phrase order, prepositional phrases, noun phrases, specifiers and demostratives, adjectival verbs, action verbs, modal verbs, adverbs with logical functions, stative verbs, asking questions and negating information, theme-comment constructions, present, past and future expressions, comparative clauses, describing performance of actions.

The module contents are the same for both attending and non attending students.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Compulsory manuals:

Abbiati, Magda, Grammatica di cinese moderno, Venezia, Cafoscarina, 1998.

Abbiati, Magda, Zhang Ruoying, Dialogare in cinese 1, Venezia, Cafoscarina, 2010.

- Compulsory readings:

Abbiati, Magda, Guida alla lingua cinese, Roma, Carocci Editore, 2008.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIOVANNA PUPPIN (President)

XU HAN

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The Language Module (Lettorato) will be running on both semesters, starting from 30th September 2024. The Theoretical Module (Modulo Teorico) will be held on the second semester, starting from February 2025. 

Language Module schedule (first semester):

Tuesday 12-14, Albergo Dei Poveri, Aula 18.

Friday 16-19, POLO, Aula E.

The first lecture of the Leanguage Module will be held on Tuesday, 1st October 2024.

Class schedule

CHINESE LANGUAGE I

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination includes: 1) a written test and an oral test for the lettorato part; 2) a written test for the theoretical module. Partial results from all tests are valid for one academic year.

The written test for the lettorato part consists of a dictation test (words and short phrases) and a test on the knowledge of Chinese character writing. The use of dictionaries is not allowed in both tests. The total duration of the written test is approximately one hour.

Note: For the written test to be considered sufficient as a whole, both parts must be at least sufficient.

The oral test for the lettorato part consists of a basic conversation with the language expert, during which students must demonstrate their acquisition of all fundamental grammar elements presented during the course, as well as their knowledge of phonetics and the prescribed character writing.

The written test for the theoretical module includes both open-ended and closed-ended questions. By answering the questions, the student must demonstrate the acquisition of linguistic content from the theoretical module, as well as knowledge of all required texts listed in the bibliography. The total duration of the written test for the theoretical module is approximately one hour and thirty minutes. The use of dictionaries is not allowed.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination for the lettorato part will assess the acquisition of skills related to both written and oral comprehension and production, focusing on the content covered in the lessons and the mandatory text, as well as the level of proficiency in understanding and knowledge of Chinese characters.

The written examination for the theoretical module will evaluate the understanding of theoretical principles of grammar and syntax, the practical application of acquired basic vocabulary, and the actual attainment of skills in written production (Italian to Chinese) and written comprehension (Chinese to Italian). The examination will also assess the knowledge of the required texts listed in the bibliography. The quality of written expression and the correct use of scientific vocabulary (especially in relation to theoretical principles of grammar) will be evaluated.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should get in touch both with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it) – who is the Department's disability liaison – and the module instructor.