This course is designed for beginners with no previous background in Chinese language. It provides an introduction to the basic grammar, pinyin system, vocabulary, usage, and the Chinese writing system. The course also focuses on developing basic communicative skills and knowledge of Chinese culture. Throughout the course, students will have extensive practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures. Our goal is to lay a solid foundation for your study of Chinese, whether you plan to concentrate in Chinese or satisfy a language requirement. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to reach the Novice-High level Teaching Method: There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. English will be used mainly for instruction on sentence structures and patterns. Interaction between instructor and students will be in Chinese. Evaluation Method: Attendance and participation Written assignments Dictations Oral quizzes Written quizzes Final exam