CHINESE LANGUAGE 3 MOD.1

The Chinese language module 3 mod.1 is one of the courses characterizing the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Languages, cultures and societies of Asia and North Africa. It aims to provide students with intermediate level tools and skills in the language and translation fields. The goal is to make them possible to apply their language skills and abilities in different communicative situations (in particular in cultural contexts), as well as in reading and understanding simple texts on both general and cultural topics, so as to make it a key tool to acquire a solid knowledge of Chinese society and contemporary culture.

To achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level B1+ of the CEFR (Common European framework of reference for language proficiency). In particular:
1. Knowledge and understanding
To have a solid knowledge of the grammatical system of modern Chinese.
To get hold of a general use lexicon which should allow the student to understand modern chinese texts and interact in generic contexts (about 1600 words and 1120 characters).
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding.
To be able to translate correctly into Chinese sentences including relatively complex grammatical structures.
To understand written texts on general and cultural topics, in order to be able to answer specific questions on the involved topics.
To be able to use in writing a lexicon of about 1600 words and 1120 characters.
To be able to hold a basic conversation on general and cultural topics.
3. Capacity of judgement
To be able to assess the level of one’s language knowledge, skills and abilities
4. Communication skills
To be able to communicate the specificities of linguistic and textusl analysis using appropriate terminology.
5. Learning skills
To know how to relate the different contexts of study and apply one's knowledge and skills for personal and professional growth.

To attend the course, students must have a very good theoretical and practical knowledge of the Italian language: they must be able to express themselves correctly both in writing and in oral form, and master the tools of grammatical analysis and logical analysis.

The course develops the understanding and the ability to translate simple Chinese texts on general and cultural topics. It also provides oral skills in modern Chinese and strengthens the ability to translate into Chinese sentences including relatively complex grammatical structures. In particular it offers:
reading comprehension and translation of short Chinese texts of general and cultural content, with analysis of grammar and translation problems: 30 hours of theory and practice;
training for linguistic interaction in general and cultural communication contexts: 60 hours of practice A (conversation);
training in Chinese translation of sentences including relatively complex grammatical structures: 60 hours of practice B (translation);
conversation tutoring: practice C;
translation tutoring: practice D.

Compulsory texts

The Chinese texts that will be used during the lessons are available at the URL https://moodle.unive.it/ in the section “Lingua cinese 3 mod. 1 Classe 1 [LT0081]”. More materials will be available at the same URL, in the sections referring to the Chinese teachers who collaborate with the course,

Casacchia, Giorgio; Bai Yukun (2013). Dizionario Cinese-Italiano Venezia: Cafoscarina; or Wu Guanghua (ed.) (1933). Han-Ying da cidian - Chinese-English Dictionary. 2 vols Shanghai: Shanghai Jiaodong Daxue chubanshe.
Ma Jianfei; Chen Ruojun; Mao Yue (2007). Short-term Spoken Chinese: Intermediate. 2nd Edition. Beijing: Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

Supplementary suggested dictionaries
Wenlin Software for Learning Chinese, 4.2.2 (per Windows e Mac), that can be purchased at the site www.wenlin.com : Ca' Foscari students can enjoy a preferential price.
Pleco Software (for iPhone/iPad and Android), that can be downloaded for free (for add-ons payment is requested) from the site www.pleco.com;
Line Dictionary, www.linedict.com;
Ichachanet web dictionary, www.ichacha.net/;
Online dictionary and translator: ICIBA, www.iciba.com/;
Baidu baike, http://baike.baidu.com/ .

The verification of acquired abilities and skills is carried out through three tests: a test of reading comprehension of a short Chinese text on general or cultural topics, a conversation in Chinese and a Chinese translation test of sentences including relatively complex grammatical structures.

Teaching is organized in:
a) front lessons;
b) writing and conversation practice aimed at building and consolidating the knowledge, skills and competences necessary to meet the goal of the course;
c) tutoring aimed at discussing and clarifying specific language problems that emerged during the teaching.

written and oral