Second Foreign Language II (Chinese)

2026/2027

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

6

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Foreign Languages

Course type:

Elective course

When:

4 year, 1, 2 module

Instructor

Ангел Кристина Сергеевна

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The goal of the "Second Foreign Language (Chinese)" course is to acquire basic knowledge and skills in modern Chinese, including phonetics, graphics, standard grammar, and vocabulary within the scope of the course. Students also develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Chinese. The course aims to develop intercultural competence and enable students to communicate effectively in a linguistic environment, both orally and in writing. Furthermore, learning a second foreign language can improve cognitive abilities, memory, and problem-solving skills, as well as broaden cultural horizons. Prerequisites for admission to this course include completion of the introductory course (second year) or an equivalent level of Chinese proficiency (HSK1-2).

Learning Objectives

• Master and demonstrate conversational and dialogue skills in Chinese in typical situations to the extent covered by this course at HSK 2 level
• Present the results of information searches and analysis, as well as academic or applied research conducted in various genres, in accordance with level A1 (HSK 1-2)
• Conduct professional activities internationally in Chinese

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Create simple dialogues and deliver a monologue on a given topic
• Maintain a conversation and write simple essays on a given topic
• Use vocabulary and necessary grammar on the topic
• Communicate: greet, say "hello," say goodbye, introduce yourself to someone (formally and informally), apologize, congratulate someone
• Organize a discussion: establish rapport and respond, invite someone to a conversation and respond, offer to start a story, introduce the topic of the story, organize information, interrupt a conversation
• Provide and request personal and subject information, provide and request information about reasons and motives, information about time and goals
• Describe and narrate: locate objects in space, identify people, talk about other people, describe connections and similarities, describe the development of an action in the present, talk about current events, daily routines, describe and compare objects, describe and physically compare people and individuals
• Express opinions, views, and knowledge: argue, express and justify an opinion, agree, disagree, evaluate an idea and a fact, evaluate relationships, express cause, effect, and purpose, and the complexity of an issue
• Influence the interlocutor: invite, attract someone's attention, give instructions and advice, make recommendations, express prohibitions

Course Contents

• 1. Introductory Course in Phonetics and Writing
• 2.1. Greetings: common formal and informal phrases and reactions.
• 2.2. Where are you from: determining nationality.
• 2.3. What's Your Name:
• 2.4. I'm learning Chinese.
• 2.5. My Family: Family members, occupations.
• 2.6. What time is it, what day of the week is it, and what is my daily routine?
• 3.1. Shopping.
• 3.2. My Neighborhood.
• 3.3. Birthdays, Invitations, Gifts
• 3.4 My School Day and My Weekends
• 3.5 My Classmate
• 3.6 Weather, Colors
• 3.7 Hobbies, Spending Time
• 3.8 Helping a Friend
• 3.9 Sports, Travel
• Midterm Test

Assessment Elements

• Classroom Work: Activity
  Conducted during the study of each topic/section of the textbook throughout the entire course of study and serves as an element of ongoing assessment. Description: Oral presentation includes various activities in oral speech lessons to develop students' oral proficiency, based on individual or group linguistic assignments, prepared and unprepared oral speech, lexical and grammar exercises, audio and video materials, essays (with or without homework), and course material; 10-16 papers per course, presentations, prepared monologues, and dialogues.
• Homework
  Homework is assigned to students after completing each topic/section of the textbook throughout the course and serves as an ongoing assessment. Homework includes vocabulary and grammar exercises and may include various exercises and activities based on the course material. Students complete homework individually; the use of AI is prohibited. Grades of 9 and 10 may be used by the instructor for ongoing or midterm assessments if the student completes assignments of increased difficulty and/or demonstrates learning outcomes that exceed those specified in the course syllabus or internship program. Description: The average score for all homework assignments includes phonetic and grammar exercises, sentence translations; reading texts and answering questions/writing situational dialogues; vocabulary and grammar exercises, essay writing, and preparing a presentation on the topic.
• Exam
  The written exam is a written test format and consists of 40 questions divided into four sections: Listening (phonetic dictation), Writing, Oral Topic, and Grammar Question. The Listening section lasts approximately 3-5 minutes, the Writing section consists of 10 questions and lasts approximately 30 minutes, the Oral Topic section is an oral mini-essay on a given topic and lasts approximately 3 minutes, and the Grammar Question section is an oral/written response to a grammar question. The teacher may exempt some students from the exam if there is no doubt about their performance. Instead, these students will be assigned a midterm grade during the exam period equal to their final grade minus the exam weight (i.e., the total weight of all assessment elements without the exam will be considered equal to one). The teacher will announce their decision no later than the last lesson before the exam period. Students may opt out of receiving grades without taking the exam and instead take the exam, provided they notify the teacher no later than the last lesson.
• Test
  Description: A written assignment (lasting 1 academic hour) is completed at the end of each unit in the curriculum. The written assignment includes vocabulary and grammar tasks. Students are offered written assignments throughout the semester and may include 3-5 written assignments per module. The written assignment may include various exercises and tasks based on the course material. Students complete written assignments individually in class. The instructor may award grades of 9 and 10 if a student completes assignments of increased difficulty and/or demonstrates learning outcomes beyond those specified in the course syllabus or internship program.

Interim Assessment

• 2026/2027 2nd module
  0.3 * Classroom Work: Activity + 0.25 * Homework + 0.25 * Test + 0.2 * Exam

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Kubler, C. C., & Wang, Y. (2011). Basic Spoken Chinese Practice Essentials : An Introduction to Speaking and Listening for Beginners (Downloadable Audio MP3 and Printable Pages Included). Rutland, Vermont: Tuttle Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1567970

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Developing Chinese. Elementary Listening Course Ⅰ. Exercises and activities (+ audio online), , 2011
• Developing Chinese. Elementary Listening Course Ⅰ. Scripts and answers, , 2011
• Developing Chinese. Elementary Reading and Writing Course I (+ audio online), , 2019
• Kubler, C. C., & Recorded Books, I. (2014). Basic Written Chinese : Move From Complete Beginner Level to Basic Proficiency (Downloadable Audio Included). North Clarendon, Vermont: Tuttle Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1568071

Authors

• Ursul Natalia Valerevna