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Assignments

This section features the daily assignments for the course. All the assignments rely heavily on texts available in readings and audio files available in study materials. For Part 1, review materials from Chinese III can be found in readings, but more comprehensively at 21F.103 (the Chinese III site).

Overview

The term is divided into five cycles. In all five, three sets of readings (from Learning Chinese, Making Connections, and Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio) are intermeshed. (Please see the abbreviations key below.) During Cycles 2, 4 and 5, you also work towards a class presentation along the lines described in the syllabus. All 5 cycles also have a written test, usually about 30 minutes long, and involving reading in characters and writing in pinyin. There is no final examination.

Abbreviations Key

The assignments below make reference to sections within three particular texts. "Unit" refers to the units of Learning Chinese: A Foundation Course in Mandarin (Part 4).  The listening text, Making Connections, is cited as "Conn-1 (Greetings)", etc. And the reader, Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, is cited as "Story-1 (八哥儿)", etc. Please refer to readings for more information about these texts.

Note that the assignments are for the next day's class, regardless of how many days intervene. "Home" assignments are in preparation for the next day's class; "Class" assignments are in-class activities.

Daily Assignments

DAY # ASSIGNMENTS
Part 1: Day #1-8
Review of Chinese III, Unit 11 (11.1-11.4), Making Connections (Lessons 1-2), Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Stories 1-2)
1 Class: Introductions: zìwŏjièshào; syllabus; materials. Making sure you can access the materials.
2-3

Home: Recall earlier material by studying Chinese III, II, and I patterns (PDF). You will be reviewing earlier material at appropriate times throughout the term. Study Unit 11 (PDF): 11.1 (yi-patterns) and listen to 11.2 (Beijing), getting familiar with the names of places. Listen and read Story-1 (八哥儿).

Class: "As soon as the teacher comes in"…. etc. Beijing map; the dialog; getting around town (review); winter weather, etc. Story-1: reading and questions.
4

Home: Unit 11 (PDF), Ex. 1. Unit 11.3 (Requests). Finish reading Story-1. Listen to Conn-1 (Greetings).

Class: "Going to the Great Wall" and Ex. 1 (group feedback, then present your best version to the class). Finish Story-1; discussion of piānpáng, and the simplified/traditional differences. Pronunciation practice/pinyin dictation.
5

Home: Unit 11.3 and Ex. 2. Story-2 (画上的马). Conn-2 (Family).

Class: Practice making requests, asking for help, complaining; buying train tickets with people cutting in line, etc. Assistance with Story-2 and Conn-2.
6 Home: Read along as you listen to 11.4 (Geography, especially parts 1-4) - have a topographical map open as you do so if possible; Ex. 3a and b. Finish Story-2. Class: Examine the map of China; geography; the exercises. Story-2 Question & Answer (Q&A).
7

Home: Review 11.4 (Geography, especially parts 5-8) and do Ex. 3c and 3d. Finish Story-2.

Class: Geography Q&A; Story-2 Q&A.
8

Home: Review Unit 11 through 11.4; Conn-1 and 2; Story-1 and Story-2.

Class: Test 1. If there's time after the test, break up into groups of 2 or 3 to go over Ex. 3d.
Part 2: Day #9-18
Unit 11 (11.5-11.7), Making Connections (Lessons 3-8), Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Stories 3-5)
9

Home: Find a partner and choose a topic for your 1st presentation within the next 3 days. Conn-3 (Dates and Times). Listen as you read Story-3 (鸟儿语).

Class: Short presentations on U.S. geography, rivers, weather, distance, travel, accents, etc. Story-3 and Conn-3 difficulties.
10

Home: Unit 11.5 (Recipe); Ex. 4 (translation). Finish Story-3.

Class: Practicing giving cooking instructions. Ordering dishes from the Chinese menu (Part III of the supplementary lesson in Learning Chinese) (PDF). If there's time, practice the Peking Duck dialogue from Chinese III.
11

Home: Unit 11.6 (Xuéxí Hànzì); Ex. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d.

Class: Xuéxí Hànzì Q&A; talking about characters - piānpáng; in class reading in traditional characters - finish at home.
12

Home: Review 11.6. Conn-4. Listen as you read Story-4 (医生).

Class: Reading difficulties; Conn-4 Q&A. Pinyin and pronunciation practice.
13

Home: Unit 11.7 (Australia); Ex. 6. Finish Story-4.

Class: Talking about Australia - geography and natural history; difficulties; Q&A. Story-4 Q&A. Schedule presentations over Day #16-17 (keep to the 5 min time limit).
14

Home: Unit 11.7, review with the goal of re-enacting the dialogue or a similar scenario in class; Ex. 6b (1, 2). Conn-5 (Visiting). Complete your preparation for class presentations.

Class: Unit 11.7 scenarios. Conn-5 Q&A.
15

Home: Conn-6 (Languages); Story 5 (从前的事情).

Class: Conn-6 and Story-5 difficulties; oral presentations.
16

Home: Conn-7 (Languages); finish Story-5.

Class: Conn-7 and Story-5 difficulties and Q&A. oral presentations.
17

Home: Conn-8 (School); review for Test 2.

Class: Conn review and Q&A; loose ends. Review Unit material.
18

Home: Review for Test-2: through Unit 11.7, Conn-8, Story-5.

Class: Test 2.
Part 3: Day #19-30
Until 11 (11.8-11.10), Unit 12 (12.1-12.3), Making Connections (Lessons 9-13), Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Stories 6-10)
19

Home: Unit 11.8 (Yángzhōu and Zhènjiāng). Story-6 (玩儿蛇的).

Class: Map of the Jiāngnán region; main towns, comparing size and population (bĭ and méiyou patterns). Story-6 problems.
20

Home: Unit 11.8 Q&A; Ex. 7. Finish Story-6.

Class: Retelling 11.8 in the 3rd person. Story-6 Q&A. Reread a Story - or part of one - in traditional characters.
21

Home: Conn-9 (Shopping); Story-7 (王六郎). Review the Zhenjiang narrative.

Class: Conn-9 and Story-7 difficulties. Recall your rhymes.
22

Home: Conn-10 (weather); finish Story-7. Study Unit 11.9 (Confrontation 1).

Class: Unit 11.10 (Rhymes). Conn-10 Q&A; weather review. Story-7 Q&A.
23

Home: Story-8 (新郎); Conn-11 (Transportation); Unit 11.9.

Class: Conn- 11 Q&A; Story-8 problems.
24

Home: Unit 12.1 (Photos) and Ex. 1; finish Story-8.

Class: Conversation about taking photographs. Ex. 1 and similar scenarios. Story-8 Q&A.
25

Home: More practice with Unit 12.1. Conn-12 (Dining).

Class: Taking photographs. Sites to see in Beijing and other Cities (review and elaboration). Conn-12 Q&A. Reread a Story - or part of one - in traditional characters.
26

Home: Unit 12.2 (Méi Tàidé) - and recall the dialogue in Unit 4; Ex. 2a (translation). Story-9 (小偷儿).

Class: Méi Tàidé Q&A. Talking about duration - how long have you been studying Chinese, lived in Boston, known your friend, etc. Story-9 difficulties and character analysis.
27

Home: Unit 12.2, Ex. 2b and 2c. Finish Story-9.

Class: In groups of 2 or 3, revise your Ex. 2c narratives, then present your best version to the class, speaking clearly and with good phrasing and pronunciation. Story-9 Q&A.
28

Home: Conn-13 (Library); Story-10 (三大生).

Class: Conn-13 Q&A; Story- 10 difficulties and character analysis. Reread a Story - or part of one - in traditional characters.
29

Home: Finish Story-10. Unit 12.3 (Tian'anmen) - prepare to re-enact; Ex. 3.

Class: Tian'anmen - where were you? Re-enacting the dialogue. Kin - priming. Story-10 Q&A.
30

Home: Prepare for Test-3: Unit 11 and through 12.3; through Conn-13, through Story-10.

Class: Test 3.
Part 4: Day #31-40
Unit 12 (12.4-12.6), Making Connections (Lessons 14-16), Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Stories 11-14)
31

Home: Unit 12.4 (Kinship); Ex. 4a and 4b. Story-11 (阎王).

Class: Talking about family. Story-11 difficulties. Find a partner and choose a topic for your 2nd presentation within the next 3 days.
32

Home: Review Unit 12-4; Ex. 4c. Finish Story-11.

Class: More about kinship. Story-11 Q&A.
33

Home: Conn-14 (Directions); Story-12 (卖布的).

Class: Directions. Story-12 difficulties. Review earlier material - e.g. photos, menu items.
34

Home: Unit 12.5 (Death), Ex. 5. Finish Story-12.

Class: Births and deaths; Ex. 5. Story-12 Q&A. Finish preparing for 2nd presentation.
35

Home: Unit 12.6 (Schools); Ex. 6a.

Class: Q&A about the Chinese school system. Catching up with reading and listening (if needed). Reread a Story - or part of one - in traditional characters.
36

Home: Review Unit 12.6; Ex. 6b. Story-13 (老虎).

Class: Story-13; Schooling.
37

Home: Finish Story-13; Conn-15 (Birthdays).

Class: Presentations; Conn-15 and Story-13 Q&A.
38

Home: Conn-16 (Doctor); Story-14 (封度县).

Class: Presentations; Conn-16 and Story-14 Q&A.
39 Home/Class: Catch up on Conn and Stories; time for Presentations, if needed.
40

Home: Prepare for test: through Unit 12.6, Conn-16, Story-14.

Class: Test 4.
Part 5: Day #41-52
Unit 12 (12.7-12.10), Making Connections (Lessons 17-23), Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Stories 15-18)
41

Home: Unit 12.7 (Tianjin); Ex. 7a and 7b. Story-15 (小苏).

Class: Talking about Tianjin. Story-15 problems. Find a partner and choose a topic for your 3rd presentation within the next 3 days.
42

Home: Unit 12.7 review. Finish Story-15.

Class: Talking about Tianjin. Story-15 Q&A. Menu items.
43

Home: Conn-17 (Dating); Story-16 (信佛) - longer.

Class: Dating and Story-16 Q&A, difficulties. Reread a Story - or part of one - in traditional characters.
44

Home: Conn-18 (Renting); Finish Story-16.

Class: Renting and Story-16.
45

Home: Review for Test-5.

Class: Catch up with Conn and Stories. Review Unit 12 material.
46

Home: Review for Test-5.

Class: Test 5 through Conn-18, Story-16 and Unit 12.7.
47

Home: Unit 12.8 - 12.8.3 (Adverbials). Conn-19 (Post Office). Story-17 (喝酒的朋友).

Class: Adverbials; the 3 de's. Conn-19 Q&A.
48

Home: Unit 12.8.4 (dialogue). Conn-20 (Sports). Finish Story-17.

Class: Unit 12.8.4 dialogue. Sports and Story-17 Q&A. Reread a Story - or part of one - in traditional characters.
49

Home: Unit 12.9 (Confrontation 2). Conn-21 (Travel).

Class: Expletives and such; discussion. Conn-21 Q&A.
50

Home: Story-18 (买面的). Conn-22 (Hometown). Review Unit 12.9.

Class: Presentations. story-18 Q&A.
51

Home: Unit 12.10 (The Northwind and the Sun);

Class: Presentations; The Northwind and the Sun.
52

Home: Conn-23 (Airport). Review The Northwind and the Sun for performance.

Class: Complete presentations.