Learning outcomes
Target level: A2.1
The purpose of this course is to learn and practice language skills involving everyday life and basic business situations.
After the course, students will:
• achieve the proficiency of the whole Pinyin system
• learn basic Chinese business vocabulary and expressions
• manage superficial conversations in everyday life and the most common business situations
• be able to read and write common characters seen in business places in Chinese-speaking areas

Course contents
The course prepares students with basic language skills in both common everyday life and simple business situations. Learning materials cover for example the following items:
• getting acquainted with a new person
• introducing oneself and others
• asking about time, schedule, etc.
• telling about one’s own home, present life situation, friends and foreign language skills
• ways of addressing customers and business partners
• business companies, positions, rank and business card
• business work unit, location and phone number

Learning methods
The learning goals of this module can be reached in the following ways:
• Interactive classroom activities
• Individual and pair work
• Internet learning via Moodle and Promentor
Assessing one´s own learning is a compulsory part of the module.

Alternative ways to complete the course
Not attending the contact hours but doing the assignments and taking the final exam.

Recognition of prior learning
A student can demonstrate his or her equivalent language skills relating to the course objectives and content. This must be agreed upon with the teacher no later than two weeks before the course begins. Each student may attempt this only once in the period prior to the giving of the course. Evaluation is on a scale of 1-5.

Course materials
- Meiru Liu 2006: Basic Business Chinese, Beijing University Press
- Handouts and materials provided by the teacher
- The internet learning materials in Promentor

Prerequisites
Chinese for Beginners 2, or two semesters of basic Chinese study

The student
has still limited skills in pronouncing pinyin, tones and vocabulary, can use everyday Chinese to communicate on a limited basis.
Her/His spoken language is not always logical, not always understandable.
is able to communicate on a limited basis in basic business situations.
knows the most common Chinese business vocabulary and phrases.
knows the main Chinese grammar rules and can follow the rules on a limited basis.
knows the basic structures of the written characters and understands only part of the written characters demanded for the course.
doesn’t follow deadlines and instructions very well.

The student
has pretty good skills in pronouncing pinyin, tones and vocabulary, can use everyday Chinese to communicate.
Her/His spoken language is usually logical and for the most part understandable.
is able to communicate well in basic business situations.
masters basic Chinese business vocabulary and phrases.
masters well the Chinese grammar rules and can follow the rules well in language situations.
knows pretty well the structures of the written characters and understands most of the written characters demanded for the course.
usually follow deadlines and instructions very well.

The student
has very good skills in pronouncing pinyin, tones and vocabulary, can use everyday Chinese to communicate really well.
Her/His spoken language is logical and easily understandable.
is able to communicate fluently in basic business situations.
masters well basic Chinese business vocabulary and phrases.
masters really well the Chinese grammar rules and can follow the rules precisely in language situations.
not only masters the structures of the characters but can also apply the knowledge in learning new characters. She/He understands all the written characters demanded for the course.
follows deadlines and instructions precisely.

Assessment criteria (H-5)
The final exam: 100%