On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Express yourself in writing, using sophisticated and descriptive vocabulary and structures
• Deploy a wide range of grammatical function words, identifying the appropriate structure to apply when talking about past events
• Engage with and respond to a selection of aural material
• Answer general questions orally
• Complete an unseen practical task describing past events using spoken Mandarin

In this module, you may cover the following linguistic structures:

• Coverbs, sentence particle and verb suffix "le"
• Question words used in an indefinite sense
• Experiential guo
• The shi…de… construction
• Verbs of locomotion
• Comparative forms
• Verb complements related to space

These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:

• Travel
• Study
• Work

In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology, in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and include: pair work and group work; individual tasks (face-to-face and online); discovery and formulation of rules; work with texts, audio and video material to develop learning and communicative skills. Homework and formative assessment tasks give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills and to develop an awareness of how to use language-learning tools independently.

Feedback on pieces of formative assessment will be given within two weeks of submission. In the case of summative assessments completed at the end of Term 2, feedback will be given at the beginning of Term 3.

The module includes formative as well as summative assessment. Homework tasks are set every week on the VLE. Independent study and support materials/guidance are also provided for you, to reinforce topics covered at your own pace. Feedback will be given for tasks submitted, to ensure you are supported to complete your work and are aware of assessment expectations. Summative asssessment consists of a coursework portfolio of six tasks (three per term), an in-class listening test, one 2-hour written test at the end of spring term, and one practical, i.e. oral examination (at the end of spring term, or in the summer term). Coursework/written/oral examinations all contribute to the final grade.

• Coursework (15%): Grammar/vocabulary test, taking place in spring term.
• Coursework (20%): Listening (monologue or dialogue of a maximum of 8 minutes, repeated once or twice as appropriate), followed by questions on comprehension. Taking place towards the end of spring term.
• Examination (40%): Written exam (2 hours), comprising of essay (approx. 250 characters); grammar gap-fill question; grammar multiple-choice questions.
• Practical (25%): Oral (20 minutes), consisting of an unseen practical conversation task, followed by general questions. Taking place at the end of spring term or in the summer term.

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week, in addition to the assessment.

Coursebooks: Colloquial Chinese* by P.C. T’ung and D.E. Pollard, Routledge, 1982; and its accompanying Character Text for Colloquial Chinese (Simplified Character Version), prepared by P.C. T’ung.  ISBN 0-415-01860-9

*Available on Leganto as an eBook