MENLO SCHOOL • SINCE 1915

Mandarin 2

Biography

Mandarin 2 is for students with three years of previous study in middle school. This may also be the appropriate class for a student who has some previous study in weekend Chinese school. On the placement test, we look for sufficient mastery of pinyin dictation, pronunciation and tones, novice-level vocabulary and expressions taught in Mandarin 1, word order with time and location, alternative questions, measure words, and the ability to compose a handwritten paragraph, minimum of 120 characters in topics such as self-introduction, hobbies and making appointments. Students also need to be able to communicate orally in the Novice-Mid level of the ACTFL student performance descriptors. This class and all subsequent levels are conducted mostly in Mandarin. At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Start to recognize, construct, and formulate intermediate-level functions of the Mandarin language.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate in Mandarin using expanded listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the Novice-High level of the ACTFL level of the ACTFL student performance descriptors.
  • Increase the use of complex vocabulary and guess strategies for unknown vocabulary and structure.
  • Identify the cultural assumptions revealed by language (examples: greetings, complements)
  • Engage in critical analysis and comparison of the student’s own values and cultural assumptions with those of Mandarin-speaking countries and communities.
  • Examine the traditions and social practices in different settings and geographical regions of the Mandarin-speaking people.