MANDARIN CHINESE COURSES

Mandarin Chinese 2:  1 Credit, Ames/MHS
This is the continuing sequence to the Mandarin Chinese 1. In this course, the students will practice listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Throughout the course, students learn to express themselves using an ever-increasing vocabulary. Grammar is introduced and practiced in innovative and interesting ways with a variety of learning styles in mind. Culture is incorporated in an attempt to help the learner focus on the Chinese speaking world and the culture, people, geographical locations and histories.

Mandarin Chinese 3:  1 Credit, MHS
Mandarin Chinese 3 is the continuation of Mandarin Chinese 2. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills will continue to be developed and expanded. Students will continue to build vocabulary and sentence patterns so that they can apply Mandarin Chinese to many everyday topics in real life. Various aspects of Chinese history, culture, current events, general social concerns, leisure, travel, entertainment, etc., will be introduced and discussed more in-depth beyond the first two years. Video, audio, and web-based materials will be used to supplement regular classroom instructions. Various field trips will provide opportunities to connect Mandarin Chinese learning with local Chinese communities and will create an authentic learning environment. All students will take the Checkpoint B Mandarin Chinese Assessment in June. 

Mandarin Chinese 4:  1 Credit, MHS
Mandarin Chinese 4 is the continuation of Mandarin Chinese 3. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills will continue to be developed and expanded. Students will continue to build vocabulary and sentence patterns so that they can apply Mandarin Chinese to many everyday topics in real life. Various aspects of Chinese history, culture, current events, general social concerns, leisure, travel, entertainment, etc., will be introduced and discussed more in-depth beyond the first three years. Video, audio, and web-based materials will be used to supplement regular classroom instructions. Various field trips will provide opportunities to connect Mandarin Chinese learning with local Chinese communities and will create an authentic learning environment. This course will begin to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Chinese Exam that will be taken the following year (AP Chinese).

College Mandarin Chinese:  1 Credit, MHS; 6 College Credits, St. John's University
This course is intended for students who have completed Mandarin Chinese 4 with an average of 85 or higher. The syllabus is similar to an intermediate college language course. Upon successful completion of this two-semester course, the payment of all required college fees, and the meeting of all college registration deadlines, students will be granted college credit. Although transfer credits cannot be guaranteed in advance, all but a few colleges will accept the credits. Transfer credit policies vary from college to college. As a result, the student may be granted advanced standing, waiver of a requirement, elective credit or a combination of these. If a student has questions about credit, it is recommended to contact the college/university directly. (cost between $100-$150).

AP Chinese Language & Culture:  1 Credit, MHS
This Advanced Placement language course is for students who have completed Chinese 4. This highly rigorous course focuses on enhancing the skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) needed for the Advanced Placement Chinese Language exam. All students will be required to take the AP exam in May. Students must complete a summer assignment. Failure to complete all course requirements, including participation in all AP exams, will result in the loss of AP course designation on a student’s transcript and AP weighting will NOT be applied.