Chinese for Non-Chinese Language Background Students I

• to introduce Chinese language and culture to students through practice with particular emphasis on oral communication;
• to help them develop confidence and competence in listening and speaking for daily Putonghua communication; and
• to facilitate their vocabulary acquisition through learning activities incorporated with high frequency Chinese characters.

Phonology:

• acquire a basic knowledge of Putonghua phonology.
• identify the tones, initials and finals of Hanyu Pinyin.
• use Hanyu Pinyin to master Putonghua pronunciation daily communication.

Vocabulary:

• recognize around 100 most frequently used Chinese characters.
• understand and use a range of words and expressions commonly used in daily communication.

Reading:

• understand simple Chinese sentences and written texts about everyday conversations.
• point out common grammatical mistakes and make appropriate corrections.

Listening:

• understand a range of words and expressions commonly used in daily communication.
• understand simple Chinese sentences and everyday conversations.

Speaking:

• conduct conversations in Putonghua for social purposes including:
  • greeting and getting to know each other.
  • introducing oneself, friends and family.
  • asking for and giving personal information.
• use numbers in various contexts to achieve different purposes including:
  • asking for prices and bargaining.
  • asking for phone numbers and making phone calls.
  • telling the time and date.
  • talking about schedules and timetables.
• order food and drinks when eating out.
• talk about likes, dislikes, interests and hobbies.
• make appointments by phone calls.

• Chinese traditional holidays.
• Chinese food and drinks.
• Chinese 12 zodiac animals.

• Greeting and getting to know each other.
• Introducing oneself, friends and family.
• Asking for and giving personal information.

• Asking for prices and bargaining.
• Asking for phone numbers and making phone calls.
• Telling the time and date.
• Talking about schedules and timetables.

• Ordering food and drinks when eating out.
• Talking about likes, dislikes, interests and hobbies.
• Making appointments by phone calls.