Language Competence Asia

Teaching and learning formats

Lecture and Practical Tutorials (onsite or digital/virtual)

Applicability

This module prepares the students language-wise for their stay at the partner university (Module 5).

Programme semester

1. Semester

Particular conditions for admission (to exam)

other exam (soP): Presentation (C), Paper (F) or Portfolio (G)
Decision and Announcement at the beginning of the semester.
The lectures are weighted by their SWS to derive the module grade.

Weighting factor of module grade

Factor 1

Conditions for participation (in module)

None, as the module is offered on beginner level (A1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)).

Module contents

General Language Competence
The course offers an introduction to the Mandarin phonetic system and its four tones and moves on to the training of basic skills in listening speaking, reading, and writing.  Afterwards, the focus will be set on accurate pronounciation as an important step for speaking and understanding Mandarin. The course has an additional aim of introducing various aspects of Chinese society and culture to the students. The course is an introduction to the Pinyin System, the internationally recognised system of phonetic spelling for Chinese, the Chinese writing system in simplified Chinese characters and grammar. There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronounciation, conversations, grammar and listening comprehension in class. Multimedia, such as audio files and short video clips will also be used in the course.

Business Language Competence
This course aims to equip the students with a deeper understanding of Chinese business from a cultural and language perspective. They will be practicing their language ability to communicate with Chinese business contacts. The course is designed for learning the vocabulary expressions and appropriate behaviour in various business situations. The intention is to further develop the students’ speaking and listening skills by introducing them to more complex grammatical structures and cultural background information.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this module, the students …

• can form simple sentences for asking and respond to simple questions.
• have a basic knowledge of grammatical structures including different tenses and word orders.
• understand and use everyday expressions in situations such as greetings, apologies, congratulations, ordering dishes in a restaurant, shopping, and basic telephone communications.
• have the knowledge and skills of Mandarin used in daily communication and have developed an insight into Mandarin-speaking life, culture and society.
• have acquired business-related Chinese language skills and gain a cross-cultural perspective into Chinese business practices.
• can use appropriate expressions in simple business activities.
• are able to use of basic business-related vocabulary.
• are able to demonstrate adequate manners in social interactions with Chinese people.
• are able to follow simple commercial discussions.

Literature and other material

• Wang-Simmerer, Ju; Crashkurs Chinesisch für Geschäftsleute (latest edition).
• 史中琦; Business Chinese Winning Strategies 商务中文案例教程; 北京中译出版社(latest edition)
• 杨寄洲; Hanyu Jiaocheng 汉语教程. 第一册.上(latest edition).