INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGES
LKBBO SIMPLIFIED CHINESE – LEVEL 1
PREREQUISITE: None
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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online
LKBBO online introduces students to language elements they will need to begin to communicate with native speakers. Students will participate in practical activities in which they can apply their knowledge and skills, and will begin to explore careers that require knowledge of the language of study. They will explore aspects of the culture of countries where the language under study is spoken, including social customs, music, and food, by participating in cultural events and activities involving both print and technological resources.
UNIT ONE
Introduction to Chinese Language
Essential Question: What are the similarities and differences between English and Mandarin Chinese?
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In this unit, students will gain a basic but important understanding of the Chinese language. What are the unique qualities of Chinese language? What is the difference between the two commonly used terms, “Mandarin” and “Chinese”? How to read Chinese phonetic system and learn to pronounce Chinese? What are the tones of Mandarin pronunciation? How to write Chinese characters? In this unit, a few sound files along with several online resources will help you build a solid foundation to start your learning.
UNIT TWO
Greetings and Self Introduction
Essential Question: How can I express myself when I don’t know all the needed Chinese words?
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In this unit, students will learn to say greetings in a few different ways and to introduce themselves when they meet someone new. Each lesson will be presented with dialogues in an audio format in addition to the texts, followed by the learning of new words (vocabulary) and sentence structures. In addition, students will learn the cultural aspect of addressing people in different ways according to one’s age, social status, or relations.
UNIT THREE
My Family and Friends
Essential Question: How can I become better at pronouncing Chinese words with correct tones and sound more like a native Chinese speaker, in topics related to family and friends?
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In this unit, students will learn the names of important family relations and to talk about their family’s and friends’ names, nationalities, likes and dislikes, and professions. Each lesson will be presented with a dialogue in an audio format in addition to the texts, followed by the learning of new words and sentence structures. In addition, students will learn the family relations in the context of Chinese culture.
UNIT FOUR
The Foods and Drinks I Like
Essential Question: How much understanding of Chinese culture is required to become competent in speaking Chinese, in topics related to food?
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In this unit, students will learn the vocabulary of popular foods and drinks in Chinese and practice ordering foods and drinks at restaurants and fast food restaurants. Students will learn to talk about the foods and drinks they like or dislike and their daily diet. In addition, students will practice using chopsticks and learn the etiquette of using them in the context of Chinese culture.
UNIT FIVE
Numbers and Time
Essential Question: How can I count from 1 to 100 using Chinese numbers? How can this help me understand the Chinese everyday life?
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In this unit, students will learn the Chinese numbers and count from 1 to 100. With the knowledge of numbers, students will learn to tell phone numbers, the time, the dates, the days of the week, and age. In addition, the symbolism of numbers in the context of Chinese culture will be introduced, and students will learn the Chinese convention of signing numbers and practice a song and a tongue twister of numbers.
CULMINATING PROJECT
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10% of Final Grade
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This project is one of the final evaluations of LKBBO online. This project will challenge students’ knowledge of concepts learned throughout the course and is worth 10% of the final grade.
FINAL EXAM
Proctored Exam
20% of Final Grade
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This exam is the final evaluation of the course. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours.
LKBCO SIMPLIFIED CHINESE – LEVEL 2
PREREQUISITE: LKBBO Simplified Chinese, Level 1, Academic or Open
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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online
LKBCO online provides opportunities for students to develop competence and confidence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the language of study. Students will communicate about matters of personal interest and everyday topics in interactive settings that emphasize real-life applications and will read and write a variety of texts of increasing complexity in the language. Students will continue to develop their understanding and appreciation of diverse communities in regions of the world where the language is spoken. They will also explore personal and professional contexts in which knowledge of the language is required, and develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.
UNIT ONE
Chinese Typing and the Art of Chinese Characters
Essential Question: What are the similarities and differences between English and Mandarin Chinese, in topics related to typing and the art of Chinese characters
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In this unit, students will develop an important skill of Chinese typing as well as a further understanding of Chinese writing systems. What are the differences between Simplified and Traditional writing systems? What does Chinese calligraphy look like? How to appreciate Chinese calligraphy? How to set up your computer to type Chinese characters? What online Chinese learning tools are available? In this unit, a few video clips will help students build a solid foundation to start this course.
UNIT TWO
Shopping and the Chinese Currency
Essential Question: How can I express myself when I don’t know all the needed Chinese words, in topics related to shopping and currency?
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In this unit, students will learn the common phrases of shopping and the Chinese currency units. Students will practice the dialogues of food and clothing shopping and the related terms of colours and clothes. Several measure words of nouns that are most commonly used will be introduced. In addition, Do’s and Don’ts of gift giving in Chinese cultural context as well as the phrases of making phone calls will be introduced.
UNIT THREE
School Subjects and School Life
Essential Question: How can I become better at pronouncing Chinese words with correct tones and sound more like a native Chinese speaker, in topics related to schools and Chinese life?
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In this unit, students will learn the names of school subjects and how to talk about the subjects they like or dislike and their school activities. Each lesson will be presented with a dialogue first, followed by the learning of new words and sentence structures. A few important sentence structures are introduced and students will get more practice at the end of the lesson.
UNIT FOUR
House, Places and Transportation
Essential Question: How much understanding of Chinese culture is required to become competent in speaking Chinese, in topics related to places and transportation?
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In this unit, students will learn the vocabulary of rooms, furniture, locations, and directions. Students will learn to describe their house and the locations of their surroundings, and students will practice giving directions and talking about modes of transportation.
UNIT FIVE
Weather and Health
Essential Question: How can I communicate in Chinese in topics about weather conditions and my own physical health?
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In this unit, students will learn to talk about the weather conditions and their physical health. Students will practice discussing the weather patterns of a certain place and practice describing how they feel in the dialogues of seeing a doctor.
CULMINATING PROJECT
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10% of Final Grade
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This project is one of the final evaluations of LKBCO online. This project will challenge students’ knowledge of concepts learned throughout this course and is worth 10% of the final grade.
FINAL EXAM
Proctored Exam
20% of Final Grade
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This exam is the final evaluation of LKBCO online. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours.
LKEDU SIMPLIFIED CHINESE – LEVEL 3
PREREQUISITE: International Languages, Level 2, University Preparation
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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online
This course provides extended opportunities for students to communicate and interact in the language of study in a variety of social and academic contexts. Students will refine and enhance their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as their creative and critical thinking skills, as they explore and respond to a variety of oral and written texts, including complex authentic and adapted texts. They will also broaden their understanding and appreciation of diverse communities where the language is spoken, and develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning. This course is an independent study course with one face-to-face meeting in the classroom every Wednesday.
UNIT ONE
Oral Communication: Listening
By the end of this course, students will:
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A1. Listening to Understand: determine meaning in a variety of oral texts in the target language, using a range of listening strategies;
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A2. Listening to Interact: interpret messages accurately while interacting in the target language for a variety of purposes and with diverse audiences;
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A3. Intercultural Understanding: demonstrate an understanding of information in oral texts in the target language about aspects of culture in diverse communities where the target language is spoken and other communities around the world, and of sociolinguistic conventions in the target language used in a variety of situations and communities.
UNIT TWO
Oral Communication: Speaking
By the end of this course, students will:
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B1. Speaking to Communicate: communicate information and ideas orally in the target language, using a range of speaking strategies, appropriate language structures, and level-appropriate language suited to the purpose and audience;
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B2. Speaking to Interact: participate in spoken interactions in the target language for a variety of purposes and with diverse audiences;
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B3. Intercultural Understanding: in their spoken communications in the target language, demonstrate an awareness of aspects of culture in diverse communities where the target language is spoken and other communities around the world, and of the appropriate use of sociolinguistic conventions in the target language in a variety of situations.
UNIT THREE
Reading
By the end of this course, students will:
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C1. Reading Comprehension: determine meaning in a variety of texts in the target language, using a range of reading comprehension strategies;
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C2. Purpose, Form, and Style: identify the purpose(s), characteristics, and aspects of style of a variety of adapted and authentic text forms, including fictional, informational, graphic, and media forms;
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C3. Intercultural Understanding: demonstrate an understanding of information in texts in the target language about aspects of culture in diverse communities where the target language is spoken and other communities around the world, and of sociolinguistic conventions in the target language used in a variety of situations and communities.
UNIT FOUR
Writing
By the end of this course, students will:
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D1. Purpose, Audience, and Form: write texts in the target language for different purposes and audiences, using a variety of forms and knowledge of language structures and conventions of the written language appropriate for this course;
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D2. The Writing Process: use the stages of the writing process – including pre-writing, producing drafts, revising, editing, and publishing – to develop and organize content, clarify ideas and expression, correct errors, and present their written work in the target language effectively;
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D3. Intercultural Understanding: in their written work in the target language, demonstrate an awareness of aspects of culture in diverse communities where the target language is spoken and other communities around the world, and of the appropriate use of sociolinguistic conventions in the target language in a variety of situations.
FINAL EXAM
Proctored Exam
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30% is based on a final evaluation.
LWSBD SPANISH – LEVEL 1
PREREQUISITE: None
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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online
LWSBD online provides opportunities for students to begin to develop and apply skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students will communicate and interact in structured activities, with a focus on matters of personal interest and familiar topics, and will read and write simple texts in Spanish. Throughout LWSBD online, students will acquire an understanding and appreciation of diverse communities in regions of the world where Spanish is spoken. They will also develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning
UNIT ONE
Hi! How are you? / ¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?
Essential Question: What is the best way to introduce yourself in Spanish?
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In this unit, students will become familiar with the basic vocabulary to introduce themselves and meet other people in Spanish and have a pleasant conversation. Students will also learn to combine the most important verbs to introduce themselves and the basics of the grammar in Spanish.
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En esta unidad te familiarizarás con vocabulario básico para poderte presentar y conocer otras personas en español y mantener una conversación agradable. Además, aprenderás a conjugar los verbos más importantes para presentarte y los pilares básicos de la gramática en español.
UNIT TWO
Mi gente / My people
Essential Question: How would you define your people?
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In this unit, students will become familiar with basic vocabulary in order to describe their family and friends.
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En esta unidad te familiarizarás con vocabulario básico para poder describir a tu familia y amigos.
UNIT THREE
En clase / In class
Essential Question: How can you talk about what you do in class?
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In this unit, students will learn to talk about their student life, such as talking about the subjects, mentioning the activities they do, describing the class materials and placing them in space.
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En esta unidad aprenderás a hablar de tu vida de estudiante, como por ejemplo, hablar de las asignaturas, mencionar las actividades que haces, describir los materiales de clase y situarlos en el espacio.
UNIT FOUR
Mi rutina / My routine
Essential Question: What is the best routine to start the day?
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In this unit, students will learn to talk about their routine, habitual actions and food.
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En esta unidad aprenderás a hablar de tu rutina, de las acciones habituales y de la comida.
UNIT FIVE
La ciudad / The city
Essential Question: What is your ideal city like?
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In this unit, students will learn the basic vocabulary to talk about their city or town and what their ideal city looks like.
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En esta unidad vas a conocer el vocabulario básico para hablar de tu ciudad o pueblo y de cómo es tu ciudad ideal.
FINAL EXAM
Proctored Exam
30% of Final Grade
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This exam is the final evaluation of LWSBD online. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours.