Learn Mandarin Chinese at Seattle Language Academy:
At the Seattle Language Academy (SLA), an acclaimed non-profit language school in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle our curriculum provides a first-year, a second-year series (201-204), and, for some languages, advanced reading and conversation classes.
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Mandarin Chinese 101
Students acquire a basic practical knowledge of Chinese during the first class. The phonetic nature of Chinese makes for rapid mastery of pronunciation and correct tones. As far as possible, instructors conduct class in Chinese, using English to clarify difficult points. The basic Chinese grammar and sentence patterns are introduced step-by-step, along with approximately forty Chinese characters per lesson. Traditional and modern Chinese cultures are explained and discussed throughout the ten-week quarter. By the end of the class, students will know how to introduce themselves and greet others, count numbers from zero to a million, tell times and dates, discuss hobbies and daily routines, and write brief dialogues.
Mandarin Chinese 102
This lower-intermediate class is targeted at those who are familiar with the four Chinese tones and who know approximately two hundred Chinese characters and the basic rudiments of Chinese sentence structure. Students learn how to make appointments, talk about school life, the weather and means of transportation and master a variety of useful phrases for shopping in Chinese-speaking societies. About 320 new Chinese characters and more complicated grammatical structures and syntax are covered in this level. Supplementary reading is also provided for each lesson. Students will be encouraged to keep a simple journal in Chinese.
Mandarin Chinese 103
In this lower-intermediate class, students learn how to order food, talk about time and time-duration, describe a party, give compliments, make a date and talk about social life. They also learn about public rules of decorum and begin to master terminology related to health and medicine. About 300 new Chinese characters are introduced at this level, and previously learned characters and idioms are reinforced and expanded through oral and written exercises.
Mandarin Chinese 104
In this intermediate class, students learn how to describe a living environment and one's hometown, talk about sports, arrange a trip, and use correct terms of address for members of the family. Other items covered include renting a house or apartment, sending mail, dealing with Chinese currency and purchasing money orders and traveler's checks. There are about 350 new characters to be learned in this level. Supplementary materials are provided with each new lesson. By the end of Chinese 104, students are expected to reach a level of intermediate proficiency in reading, speaking and writing Chinese in a variety of non-technical contexts.
**NOTE: For CHN 101-104 students have a choice between using either the Simplified character edition or the Traditional character edition. Classes can be taught using both editions.
Mandarin Chinese 201-204
The second-year series is suitable for those who have a basic command of Chinese grammar and syntax (Chinese 101-104 at SLA or one year of college Chinese or equivalent) and can demonstrate intermediate proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Chinese. Designed to expand and refine students' basic repertoire of language skills, the 200 series combines systematic reviews of first-year grammar and vocabulary with conversation practice organized around themes of general cultural interest. Discussions highlight important aspects of contemporary life in Chinese speaking cultures. Through in-class activities ranging from presentations to film viewings, oral and written exercises and interactive role-playing, students enhance their speaking abilities, improve their reading and writing skills and deepen their knowledge of Chinese culture.
Mandarin Chinese 300
Chinese 300 (Advanced Conversation) is a continuing class for students who possess advanced proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Chinese and wish to maintain and improve their language skills in a structured setting.
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