Chinese I

Students develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple sentences containing basic language structures. This communication is evidenced in all four language skills-listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This course emphasizes the development of listening and speaking skills. Students are introduced to piny in and also learn simplified Chinese characters that relate to the themes and grammatical elements targeted at this level. Students learn to recognize characters correctly, not only for reading, but also with the goal of developing their writing and ability to communicate in text on computers and on other electronic devices. Students begin to explore and study the themes of personal and family life, school life, social life, and community life.