21F.101 / 21F.151 Chinese I (Regular), Spring 2005

Abstract

Introduction to modern standard Chinese (Mandarin) with emphasis on developing conversational skills by using fundamental grammatical patterns and vocabulary in functional and cultural suitable contexts. Basic reading and writing are also taught. Work in the language laboratory is coordinated with, and supplemented to, class work. For graduate credit, see 21F.151. Description from course home page: This subject is the first semester of two that form an introduction to modern standard Chinese, commonly called Mandarin. Though not everyone taking this course will be an absolute beginner, the course presupposes no prior background in the language. The emphasis is on developing (a) basic conversational abilities (pronunciation, fundamental grammatical patterns, common vocabulary, and standard usage), (b) basic reading and writing skills, and (c) an understanding of the language learning process so that students are able to continue studying effectively on their own. The main text is J. K. Wheatley’s Learning Chinese: A Foundation Course in Mandarin, part I (unpublished, but available online), which consists of several introductory chapters, seven core lessons (labeled 1, 2, 3…) and six character lessons (labeled A, B, C…). (Part II of the book forms the basis of 21F.102, which will also be published on OpenCourseWare.) The core lessons of Learning Chinese present the language discursively, in English, topic by topic with example sentences, dialogues, conversations and narratives in romanization, interspersed with short exercises by which students can monitor their progress. These lessons serve the rapid accumulation of vocabulary, grammatical patterns and usage, primarily for conversation, but also for reading and composition. The character lessons relate to, but are not identical to the core lessons. They serve to introduce the written language (both the traditional character set and the simplified) at a manageable rate and in appropriate contexts. The two sets of lessons will be interleafed, with lesson 1 followed by A, lesson 2 by B, etc. Assistance in internalizing lesson material is provided by way of a computer program called flashCube, developed by Jordan Gilliland while a graduate student at MIT. FlashCube will not be available at the opening of the 21F.101 OCW site but will be added, along with supporting programs and documentation, in the near future. As the name suggests, flashCube delivers through the medium of the computer what has traditionally been provided by the folk-method of the flashcard, the vocabulary or phrase notebook, and the tape recorder. FlashCube stores, in a compact and convenient format, much of the Chinese material presented in Learning Chinese, and allows students to test themselves into and out of the spoken or written language.