This course builds upon previous spoken Chinese training through dialogues and listening activities to help strengthen students' overall aural-oral proficiency. Students learn to speak for relatively long periods, express feelings and opinions freely, make comparisons and present simple argumentative passages; expand their vocabulary; solve textual problems without recourse to dictionaries.

Students enhance their written Chinese by writing short narratives and informational pieces on socio-cultural topics. This course places a strong emphasis on Chinese culture while cultivating cross-cultural competence.

Basic Chinese

Comprehensive course to teach students the fundamentals of Mandarin Chinese. It systematically introduces language rules and essential vocabulary during everyday conversations about familiar topics, so learners can express themselves clearly during speech or write simple short texts - as well as gain an overall knowledge of Chinese culture.

Text materials introduce students to core aspects of China's culture through lively narratives and text materials that expose students to its history, legend, geography, ethics, moral values and modern transformation. At an intermediate level, students will gain skills for discussing semi-formal and formal usages of Chinese as well as developing specialist vocabulary; increasing reading speed and textual analysis skills; writing more complex narratives or reasoned arguments of length; appreciating stylistic features of the Chinese language - among many other skills!

Students who have successfully completed four semesters of Chinese at Lafayette or its equivalent may enroll in this advanced-level class. Here they will receive advanced training for all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Through various materials covering various topics they will increase their understanding of modern Chinese culture while improving communication with native speakers across a range of situations. Hanyu Pinyin - an international phonetic spelling system used for Chinese -will also help consolidate elements of pronunciation.

Intermediate Chinese

Students enrolled in this course learn basic Chinese conversational skills for everyday situations and how to read and write simplified Chinese characters, in addition to developing cultural knowledge discussed during class. This course is ideal for those who understand Mandarin Chinese dialects or those living in areas where spoken Chinese is prevalent - however students enrolled should consult the Chinese Language faculty first to assess whether this course is right for them.

At the intermediate level, text materials offer vivid narratives to introduce students to the core elements of Chinese culture: history, legends, geography, ethical values and modern transformation. Students also gradually become exposed to authentic Chinese texts of literary interest.

Students continue their development of fundamental listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities gained in course 101. Their vocabulary increases by learning 200 new words and 30 grammar patterns. Mastery of Pinyin pronunciation can be maintained through regular computer-based exercises, and they also increase their communication ability on daily-life topics more clearly in sentences and paragraphs. Their abilities include describing exterior features of buildings and discussing spatial layouts as well as expressing feelings in engaging ways. Furthermore, they can write passages on topics that interest them while making simple travel arrangements or managing telephone conversations.

Advanced Chinese

At this level, students will expand their Chinese communication abilities. Instructors will offer opportunities to discuss familiar topics while communicating in formal shumianyu Chinese and reading authentic materials. Conversation classes and composition exercises are also part of this level's program.

At the advanced level, your Oracle language skills will begin to be put to greater use in everyday situations. You will become adept at reading and discussing more intricate texts such as newspaper articles or informal discussions on socio-cultural matters; while also developing enough vocabulary for engaging meaningful discussions.

Now is also an excellent opportunity to venture outside the realm of textbook-driven text materials and embrace something fresh, such as authentic news articles, books, dramas or films without subtitles to challenge and foster your Chinese skills. Watching such movies or dramas without subtitles forces you to think in Chinese; guessing meaning from context encourages this practice while only resorting to dictionary dictionaries when necessary.

Your Chinese writing will also improve by learning to compose more formal articles, including business writing. You will be able to write biographies, news, newsletters and surveys; travel reports reviews and opinions as well as more fully understanding Chinese grammar structures and connecting methods used for writing Chinese characters.

Yin Yu Tang Documents

Yin Yu Tang Documents course is intended for students with minimal spoken, listening, reading and writing abilities. The course provides them with an opportunity to raise their level of proficiency and enhance their understanding of Modern Standard Chinese through weekly classes with master teachers containing fifty-five minute drill/conversation sessions followed by midterm exams and final examinations as well as extra assignments including homework, oral presentations and writing tasks.

Students will read and discuss The Dream of the Red Chamber, widely considered one of the greatest vernacular novels from imperial China. Through close reading and small group discussion, they will gain an in-depth knowledge of both its language as well as the historical, social, and cultural background in which it was written.

At the outset of the Qing Dynasty, a wealthy merchant named Huang constructed Yin Yu Tang in Huizhou's southeastern region. Over eight generations resided there until their departure in late 1984. Room-by-room photographs and documentation of this house offer unique insight into traditional Chinese family life; reading selected excerpts from Yin Yu Tang will enable students to examine these cultural contexts while honing Chinese reading and comprehension skills.