Expert Tips on Chinese 1: An Interview with Ms. Bickart
What is your favorite thing about teaching Chinese 1?
Students are usually excited about learning something that is really new for them (most of them anyway). Everyone gets to know each other pretty well, since we are talking a lot about who and what are a part of people’s daily lives, and the class usually becomes a pretty cohesive and supportive group. It is also quite fun to stop at different points in the second semester, and point back to what students were doing a few months ago, and they are usually struck by just how much progress they have made!
What challenges students the most in Chinese 1? How would you recommend that students overcome these challenges?
No surprises here, I think. 1) Mandarin is a tonal language, and so in listening and speaking, many students are challenged by tones, both learning how to hear and how to produce the four tones of Mandarin distinctly, and as they continue, learning and remembering the tones of words as a part of learning new vocabulary. 2) Chinese characters. While there are patterns that emerge as one learns more and more characters, especially at the beginning learning new characters takes a lot of practice, memorization, and frequent review.
How to overcome [these challenges]? 1) Without listing in detail, there are a lot of methods for practice and more practice in class and out of class! While the first few months may seem to go quite slow, over time students will be acquiring both spoken and written Chinese at a faster rate. 2) Friends – whether that is making friends with the students in the class who are also just learning, or having other friends outside the class who speak Chinese and will encourage you.
What types of students do well in Chinese 1?
Chinese 1 is intended for beginners, with no prior knowledge of or exposure to Chinese. There are no prerequisites. Anyone can do well – I don’t think one can say there is a particular “type” of student that does well or doesn’t do well.
What does the average workload for each week look like?
[There is] class three times/week [for] 70 minutes. Homework and additional study time, 2-4 hours, can vary a lot by individual. While there are exceptions, typically homework has been due on Friday evenings and Monday mornings, although students should work on some part every day.
How do you recommend that students prepare for exams in Chinese 1?
1) Review vocabulary and characters – generally using flashcards and writing out characters by hand, 2) Review comments teacher has made on your homework or quizzes, if you haven’t already done so, 3) Re-read textbook dialogues, texts, and examples in grammar sections, out loud, 4) Review class slides or notes, again reading examples out loud, 5) Use lists of objectives for each lesson on Canvas to check whether or not you are confident about the items listed, and 6) If you come up with something you’re not sure about, make a note of it and ask!!!
How is the participation grade for Chinese 1 determined?
Everyone speaks, multiple times per class in Chinese 1. Speaking is an essential built-in component of every class, and will account for over 90% of participation grades.
Every student starts out with 100% participation. Points will be deducted if, for example, a student consistently has difficulty speaking due to tech issues, is unprepared when it is their turn, is avoiding speaking, has unexcused absences, or does not complete certain pre-class or in-class activities. On the flip side, there will be occasional opportunities to add points to the participation grade. (N.B.: this may vary somewhat year to year or by teacher.)
How is a student’s overall grade in Chinese 1 determined? What percentage of a student’s overall grade is determined by exams, homework, quizzes, participation, etc.?
About 50% is determined by exams and quizzes, about 50% by homework, projects, and participation. (N.B.: this may vary somewhat year to year or by teacher.)
What materials do students use in the course (textbooks, lectures, online resources, etc.)?
1) Integrated Chinese Book 1 textbook and online workbook, 2) teacher-created exercises and quizzes on Canvas, 3) various online resources, and 4) very few pre-recorded lectures.
Are students expected to be on camera for the entire class?
No.
Have you had any experiences with students in Chinese 1 that could encourage those who think they cannot excel at the material to take the class?
1) We really do start from the beginning, with pronunciation, simple words and characters! We go step by step, not too fast, not too slow.
2) You will be very proud of what you can understand, say, and read after just one or two semesters! I promise.
3) We have fun! It’s a great break from all those intense discussions about philosophy and literature.
What about Chinese 1 interests so many students?
1) Challenge for its own sake. It is very different from English and other European languages, and so does take different ways of thinking and learning.
2) Interest in Chinese characters, and wanting to understand how such a different way of writing works, how one comes to be able to read and understand characters. Also interest in the aesthetic or artistic aspects of Chinese characters.
3) Interest in Chinese or East Asian culture or history generally.
4) Interest in China as a country that has been rapidly increasing in influence as a regional and global power on nearly every front – economically, science and technology, environmental impact and solutions, military, international diplomacy.
5) Standing out. While the number of people outside of China learning Chinese is increasing, the numbers are still relatively small compared to other commonly taught languages. If you stick with it for a few years, you will really be able to wow people!
