Discover a new language and culture and how it enriches the lives of those around us.
This semester-long course is designed to introduce students to the Chinese language and culture. Students will explore practices and perspectives of Chinese culture including familiar topics such as celebrations, family and school life, and foods in order to develop an introductory level of cultural awareness and an appreciation of cultural differences. Students will develop vocabulary skills to express feelings, likes, and dislikes, and exchange ideas on familiar topics through brief discussions in the target language.
The weekly lessons are presented within thematic units. These units are
Unit 1: Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture
Unit 2: Ancient Chinese History
Unit 3: Everyday Life
Unit 4: Culture
Unit 5: Experiences and Connections
Each week, students will engage in practices and assignments that enrich their linguistic and cultural knowledge of the Chinese people. Activities include interpreting text and audio from authentic resources such as YouTube videos, podcasts, and articles.
In this standard-level course, students are expected to invest approximately 6 hours per week on their course work.
Course Essential Questions:
- How can we communicate in Chinese using basic phrases and vocabulary?
- What are some similarities and differences between Chinese culture and our own culture?
- How did ancient Chinese tradition impact modern society?
- How does Chinese language and culture influence today’s global societies?
Course Learning Objectives:
- Write about everyday situations using simple sentences in the Chinese language.
- Speak about everyday situations in the Chinese language using common words and phrases.
- Compare and contrast the Chinese language and culture with other languages and cultures.
- Identify some typical practices related to everyday life.
- Interpret the significance of Chinese cultural heritages to modern cultures.
- Describe the influence of the Chinese language and culture on today’s world.