Course Syllabus

Mandarin Chinese Course Expectations

Ms. Xu       (781) 446-6290 ext 4971      Room 332     xuy@wellesleyps.org

Office Hours ( by appointment)   

  • Before school Monday to Friday 7:30am-8:00am                
  • After school    Monday to Thursday  2:30 pm-3:30pm

Chinese Club

I am advising the Chinese Club. Student officers meet after school on Fridays to plan for the monthly events. Joining the club gives students the opportunity to immerse into Chinese cultural events and improve their multicultural sensibilities.

Back to School Night Video2021

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Course Description

Mandarin Chinese is based on the Beijing dialect and is the national standard language of the People’s Republic of China.  Through a variety of reading and listening materials，writing and speaking tasks and projects students will learn to communicate effectively and accurately in a wide range of situations. Chinese history and culture will be introduced as it relates to each lesson. In addition, this course will cover computer skills not only with Chinese programs, also as a means for using computers as a learning technique to study Chinese.

Objectives        

Students will be able to speak, read, write and listen to Chinese at the appropriate level and learn how to use a wide variety of vocabulary covered in the themes that we study this year. 

 

Textbooks 

  • Level 2H: Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 1 Textbook, 3rd Edition (Simplified) 

中文听说读写   ISBN: 9780887276385

  • Level 3H/3ACP/4H/4ACP: Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 2 Textbook, 3rd Edition (Simplified) 中文听说读写   ISBN: 9780887276705     
  • Level 5H/5ACP:  Integrated Chinese, Level 2 Part 1 Textbook, 3rd Edition (Simplified & Traditional)   中文听说读写  ISBN: 9780887276798     

Materials & Online Resources 

 

  • A small three-ring binder to keep your materials organized.
  • Notebook or note-taking paper (for error correction, reading summaries and compositions)
  • Pencils, your computer and headphones and other materials as instructed. 
  • Simplified Chinese Pinyin input on your home computer.
  • Other materials for the course will be available online via Canvas. Please log in to https://wellesley.instructure.com and familiarize yourself with it.   

Grading 

 

Students will be graded using the following criteria with modified rubrics.  Grades, based on a point or letter system, will be earned by completing and turning in assignments on time. No late work will be accepted unless it is due to an excused absence. Grades will be updated weekly on PowerSchool. Please remember that World Language term weights are sequential as below.

 

1. Non-Performance Assessments 10%: all items in this category are stepping stones to having success in the Performance Assessment category. 

  • Memorized materials which only requires memorization.
  • Completion and quality of homework; Binder checking 
  • Use of support services (extra help or peer tutoring) , as recommended by teacher

2. Performance Assessments 90%:

  • Three modes of Performance Assessments: Interpretive( listening and reading), Interpersonal (speaking and writing), and Presentational (speaking and writing)
  • Application of learning in an actual or simulated setting ( Real-world tasks)
  • Use of the Target Language in class

Sequential Term Weights         

Q1: 12%           Q2: 19%         Q3: 26%            Q4: 31%           Final Experience 12%
Seniors             Q1: 14%         Q2: 22%            Q3: 29%           Q4: 35% 
Senior Project  Q1: 27%         Q2: 33%            Q3: 40%

Grading Examples

    • A means you show consistent evidence of leveling up with more advanced language
    • B+  means you thoroughly meet the targeted standard
    • C+ means you are approaching the targeted standard
    • I (incomplete) means you are showing partial ability or incomplete work

 

C- policy     It’s our department policy that students who earn a D+ or lower for the year-end grade may not continue on to the next year of language study.  unless both of the following requirements are met: a. the student must develop a remediation plan for the summer and has that plan approved by the teacher (a plan typically includes a private tutor).  

Attendance Policy

  • Regular class attendance is essential for success in this course. Three tardies equal a class cut.  Be familiar with the school attendance policy outlined in the student handbook. 
  • Tardiness may affect your grade since homework assignments are to be turned in or checked by the teacher at the beginning of the class.  Please arrive on time and be seated promptly when the class bell rings!
  • In the case of an excused absence: It is the student’s responsibility to find out what was covered in class, and make up what you missed within 48 hours of your return to school.
  • Make-up work, including missed quizzes/tests, is due within 48 hours of your return to school. If the student has been absent for a longer period, it can be due in the same number of days as the length of the absence. For example, if a student is absent for 5 days, he/she has 5 days from their date of return to turn in any make-up work or make up any missed quiz or test. If work is not made up within this time frame, the student may receive a zero for the work missed.

To make up an excused absence:

✏ Complete all sections of the study guide covered during your absence.

✏ Schedule a meeting with me within 48 hours of your return in which you will discuss what you missed as well as present your completed section of the study guide.  Please be mindful that these makeup sessions are not the same as participating in class discussions! 

✏  Keep in mind that missing more than 4 classes is a serious cause for concern.  In that case, you will be required to attend the office hours consistently and demonstrate your understanding of the materials.  Please be mindful that there are no extra credits and these makeup sessions are not the same as participating in class discussions!  

Appointment Cancellation 

      We understand that unexpected academic obligations, work commitments or illnesses can affect your schedule. However, please let me know any changes to your scheduled appointments as early as possible. Teachers have high demand for appointments so any cancellation will allow them to offer your time slot to another student. Be sure to check your schedule carefully in order to avoid multiple appointment cancellations.   

      If you do not cancel the appointment and do not show up, it will be recorded as a “no show”.  Two or more no-shows may result in losing privileges until we discuss the importance of time management.

Class Expectations:  3R3S (Responsible, Respect, Ready, Communication Skill, Social Skill and Study Skill)

  • Be respectful
  • Be responsible 
  • Be ready, be motivated and have fun

True enjoyment and fun come from accomplishment. It will take a while before you enjoy doing something. So please be patient with yourself and give your best effort.  

 

Assignments, quizzes, tests and other assessments

  • Please type or write your homework legibly.  Any submission that doesn’t meet the requirements may have points taken away.   Any major writing assignment needs to be typed with 14-point font, double-spaced, 1” margins, and New Times Roman font. 
  • You can have one homework pass per term. Passes cannot be carried over to the next term.  There is no retake for any performance(non-memorized) assessments.  
  • Please see World Language rubrics for 3-mode assessments and for Participation. 
  • Any forms of CHEATING will not be tolerated. This includes copying, communicating for answers, or plagiarizing a written assignment.  The student who receives and the student who assists in such behavior will both receive an automatic “0” for that assignment. Using Google Translate or other online dictionary for vocabulary is accepted, but please do NOT use them for full sentences or paragraphs.  

Remind.com, Canvas and School Email

  • Homework, quizzes, and major assessments will be announced in class.  Assignment reminders may be sent via REMIND text messages.  You are responsible to write down the homework assignment in class  or contact your classmates/teacher in case of any unexpected technology problems.  
  • The related materials (audio files, quizlet flashcard, vocabulary index, rubrics, grammar reference, character packet, and tutorial links) are posted on Canvas.
  • Other information (formal letters, announcement, newsletters) will be sent to your school email.

To be successful in this class you must:

  • Have a good attitude about learning.  Always make an effort to get better!
  • Be organized with your materials (3 ring binder for all handouts).
  • Exercise good study skills – constantly review what we do in class not just for tests/quizzes but daily!
  • Always speak in Chinese! 
  • Tell me when you need help, feel confused, need something repeated, etc… Please take an initiative and make an appointment for extra help or discuss the concerns.  I want to help you understand, improve and reach your full potential!