Chinese
Students explore the language and culture of China. See below for course offerings.
Chinese 1
Designed to introduce students to Chinese language and culture, Chinese 1 courses emphasize basic syntax, simple vocabulary, written characters, and spoken tones so that students can read, write, speak, and understand the language at a basic level within predictable areas of need, using customary courtesies and conventions. Chinese culture is introduced through the art, literature, customs, and history of Chinese- speaking people.
In middle schools, this course is typically divided into two parts and taken over two years as level 1A and level 1B. Students must successfully pass 1A in order to enroll in 1B. Credit will be awarded at the end of successful completion of both levels 1A and 1B. To receive 1.0 credit for a level 1 language, 1A and 1B must both be completed successfully prior to leaving 8th grade.
Chinese 2
Chinese 2 courses build upon skills developed in Chinese 1, extending students’ ability to understand and express themselves in Chinese and increasing their vocabulary. Typically, students learn how to engage in discourse for informative or social purposes, write expressions or passages that show understanding of sentence construction and phrasing, and comprehend the language when spoken slowly. Students usually explore the customs, history, and art forms of Chinese-speaking people to deepen their understanding of the culture(s).
Honors Chinese 3
Chinese 3 courses focus on having students express increasingly complex concepts both verbally and in writing while showing some spontaneity. Comprehension goals for students may include attaining more facility and faster understanding when listening to the language spoken at normal rates, being able to paraphrase or summarize written passages, and conversing easily within limited situations.
Honors Chinese 4
Chinese 4 courses focus on advancing students’ skills and abilities to read, write, speak, and understand the Chinese language so that they can maintain simple conversations with sufficient vocabulary and an acceptable accent, have sufficient comprehension to understand speech spoken at a normal pace, read uncomplicated but authentic prose, and write narratives that indicate a good understanding of language rules and a strong vocabulary.
AP Chinese Language and Culture
AP Chinese courses extend students’ facility with the language so that they are able to understand, initiate, and sustain general conversations on topics beyond basic survival needs. Reading and writing tasks will usually include all normal verb tenses (present, past, and future).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Chinese B Year 1
IB DP Language B Chinese is an additional language-learning course designed for students who have successfully completed Chinese level 3 or higher, and who are admitted in the IB Diploma Programme. It may be studied at either Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). The main focus of the course is on language acquisition and development of language skills. These language skills should be developed through the study and use of a range of written and spoken material. Such material will extend from everyday oral exchanges to literary texts, and should be related to the culture(s) concerned. The material should be chosen to enable students to develop mastery of language skills and intercultural understanding. This IB DP course is taught over two years.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Chinese Year 2
IB DP Language B Chinese is an additional language-learning course designed for students who have successfully completed Chinese level 3 or higher, and who are admitted in the IB Diploma Programme. It may be studied at either Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). The main focus of the course is on language acquisition and development of language skills. These language skills should be developed through the study and use of a range of written and spoken material. Such material will extend from everyday oral exchanges to literary texts, and should be related to the culture(s) concerned. The material should be chosen to enable students to develop mastery of language skills and intercultural understanding. This IB DP course is taught over two years.