Course Description
This is the 1st year course of IB Mandarin program designed to be followed over two years by juniors and seniors who have no or very little previous experience of learning Mandarin Chinese. The course aims to develop a variety of linguistic skills, and a basic awareness of the Chinese culture using the language. It is a standard level course.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course students will be expected to demonstrate abilities to:
communicate information and some basic ideas clearly and effectively, in a limited range of situations;
understand and use accurately the essential spoken and written forms of the language in a limited range of situation;
understand and use a limited range of vocabulary in common usage;
use a register that is generally appropriate to the situation;
demonstrate awareness of some elements of the Chinese culture related to Chinese language.
Description of how course develops learner profile habits
As an International Baccalaureate program school, Snowden is focusing on educating students to become individuals described in IB learner profile: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-taker, balanced and reflective. By taking language course students will discover their potentials in language learning and develop understanding of other cultures and others’ point of view through authentic learning materials.
Curriculum Covered over two year:
the individual
education and work
town and service
food and drink
leisure and travel
the environment
health and emergencies
Key questions:
What are the major differences in educational systems between China and US?
Describe the values and beliefs in family traditions in your culture
How to address the issue of environment and its protection.
How to describe one’s personality, character and habit
How to gain knowledge through travel.
What are the differences between traditional and modern families?
Description of Major Assessments / Assignments (Learning Products)
Projects
1. Oral/speaking assignment
2. Listening comprehension such as HSK
3. self-introduction in Chinese ((3 min)
4. describe an interesting activity or event
5. describe a friend
6. role-play on a self-chosen topic: between a customer and a seller/ restaurant waiter, etc.
7. group project: topic and setting to be determined. (debate on environmental issues, travel together & hospital service)
8. Writing assignment: express opinions
9. pen-pal letter
10. weekly journal entry
11. design a poster/advertisement
12. Short essay: e.g. my ideal school life
13. Comparison: verbally and in writing
14. dictionary searching
Assessment and Grading Policy
IB assessment Paper 1 and 2 in the following May
IB oral assessment in the following March following IB Guide on individual project
IB Guide is available in classroom.
None-IB Snowden assessment will be guided by the following:
Final grade computation:
1st term: 20%; 2nd term: 20%; 3rd term: 20%; 4th term: 20%
Mid-year: 10% and final exam: 10%
Each term grade consists of
a. 40% quiz average
At least 2-4 quizzes are given within a term/quarter. Quizzes may be given at the end of each lesson, and may be retaken after school before the end of the term. Sometimes a project may be given as an alternative, and the project will be assessed by rubrics.
b. 35% every worksheet/assignment, which varies in numbers for different level of classes. Worksheets are students’ obligations that they must do. Failing to hand in complete worksheet in 5 days will result in grade reduction. Worksheets/assignments may be completed in class or at home according to the teacher’s instructions. Incomplete worksheet/assignment receives no credits. Every assignment will be corrected and returned to students in a timely manner. Neat handwriting of Chinese characters is required for all students.
c. 25% class participation
Students are expected to
Speak Chinese in a thoughtful manner.
Listen to others with respect and appreciation.
Present one’s own project with care.
Required Materials: a notebook, a folder, pen and index cards
Key Course Texts
Mandarin Ab Initio Syllabus by IB program & IB Chinese curriculum and vocabulary manual
Huanying an introduction to Chinese by Jianying Howard and Lanting Xu, Cheng & Tsui Comany 2009
Ni Hao by Shumang Fredlein-Paul Fredlein, ChinaSoft Australia 1998
A Key to Chinese Speech and Writing by Joël Bellassen and Zhang Pengpeng, Sinoligua Beijing 1997
Rudimentary Chinese Sinolingua Beijing 1990
Extra Help
Tuesdays and Thursday after school 2:15-3:15 or by appointment on other days. Online help is also available by arrangement depending how remote learning is carried out.
Availability for Parent contact
Email Ms. Liu at lliu@bostonpublicschools.org or call 617-635-9989 leave message. Individual conference may be arranged.
Must-visit site links:
Ms. Liu’s google class https://classroom.google.com/c/MjE5ODAwOTE0Mlpa
Google site https://sites.google.com/bostonpublicschools.org/snowdenchinese