The course is for those who have completed intermediate level courses either at the College, other U.S. schools, or abroad. Considering the differences in pedagogy, syllabus and textbook that often exist in among the various off-campus programs and academic institutions in which Wooster students have received language training, it is difficult to offer individualized instruction to those enrolled. We’ll do our best to accommodate the linguistic needs of all those hoping to continue Chinese, uneven as they are bound to be, but direct our attention mainly to those planning to minor in the language. To ensure some continuity, we’ll adopt the textbooks as follows:
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There are supplementary materials for this class, even excerpts of original Chinese texts, written in traditional or simplified characters. You are expected to take notes in Chinese, to look up words in the dictionary, to be able to express yourself through oral communication and in writing. No English is allowed in this class. If and when you find the class materials too easy, you may tell the instructor how you wish to develop your language skills. If, due to regulations about course load for faculty, we are unable to (re)structure the class to satisfy your individual needs, we may have to ask you to drop or withdraw.
We would like to conduct this class very differently from how we teach Beginning and Intermediate courses in that we expect certain amount of material to be self-taught. In other words, we expect that the basic language training you have received should enable you to teach yourself about new vocabulary and grammar; it is your responsibility to make sure that you understand what transpires in class and raise questions if you do not. In a way, you need to initiate an approach to the textbooks that makes sense to you. We’ll conduct dictations, assign homework, proctor tests as usual to ensure that true learning takes place. The more you take into your own hand, the higher your chance of doing well in this class.