Mandarin Chinese for Business
| Module title | Mandarin Chinese for Business |
|---|---|
| Module code | FLM3630 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Yan Wen-Thornton (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
In this module we will cover a variety of business-related matters associated with social and cultural aspects in Mandarin Chinese-speaking countries, where you will analyse, criticise and summarise the content of written and aural documents on business related topics. It is based on proficient communicative activities such as reception, production and interaction.
You will be expected to have an interest in using Chinese in business contexts, although no formal prior business study is required. The module is taught entirely in the target language.
Mandarin Chinese for Business can be taken towards achieving ‘with advanced proficiency in Chinese’. See: http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will familiarise yourself with the high standard Mandarin pronunciation system and with a number of Chinese idioms and phrases to produce complex texts for communicative purposes. You will be encouraged to present personal opinions and participate in discussions in class. The stimulus material (aural, written and visual) not only will provide you with further consolidation of Chinese but it will also offer you more insights into the Chinese business world. In order to register, you will be required to attend an interview and to complete a written placement test. This module is offered at a post-advanced level or near native Mandarin Chinese speakers.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate competence in the use of a wide range of advanced grammatical structures of the target language
- 2. Read and comprehend a wide range of demanding, longer written and aural texts in most registers, on both concrete and abstract topics in the target language, including articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Communicate fluently and effectively, both orally and in writing, on complex and abstract topics and produce coherent, cohesive and accurate texts in a range of appropriate styles and genres
- 4. Demonstrate advanced levels of autonomy in language learning, with minimal direction from the teacher
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, including an advanced reference grammar and specialist dictionary, to consolidate your learning.
- 6. Make clear presentations on a range of concrete and abstract subjects and be able to express yourself confidently, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning in more complex situations.
- 7. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign culture
- 8. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign culture
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- China politics and reform
- China legal and banking system
- China special economic zone
- Chinese business culture and etiquette
- How to do business with China
- Chinese women and Entrepreneurship
- Business case studies
- Confucius and Confucianism
- Laozi and Taoism
- Globalisation and China's economic prospect
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 66 | Language classes |
| Guided independent study | 234 | Consolidation of learning; learning activities are supported by various media, including audio, video/DVD, and computer software where appropriate. The module is taught in the target language |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 formative tasks per year (grammar and vocabulary, writing, reading and listening comprehension) | Variable | 1-8 | Written and/or Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 60 | 40 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-class test (listening and writing) | 20 | 1.5 hours | 1-5, 8 | Written |
| Group oral presentation | 20 | 15-20 minutes | 1,3-8 | Written |
| Individual oral examination | 20 | 10-15 minutes | 1,3-8 | Written |
| Research essay | 40 | 2500 simplified Chinese characters | 1-5, 8 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research essay | Research essay | 1-5, 8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Individual oral presentation | Individual oral presentation | 1,3-8 | Referral/deferral period or Freshers week |
Re-assessment notes
In-class listening and writing test is not available as re-assessment. With proven and accepted mitigation, component is excluded from the module calculation. Without proven mitigation a mark of zero will be attained.
Group oral presentation is not available as a re-assessment. With proven and accepted mitigation the component is awarded the same mark as for the individual oral test. Without proven mitigation a mark of zero will be attained.
If the group and individual oral presentations are both missed then this will be replaced by one individual oral presentation worth the combined weighting of both elements.
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
There is no course book for this module. Please see ELE for recommended resources.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Dictionary: Collins Oxford English/Chinese and Chinese/English dictionary
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | Post advanced or near-native speakers |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/02/2018 |
| Last revision date | 29/07/2020 |
