Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module will:

- build on language skills gained at Stages 1, 2 and 3
- provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the Chinese language and with the ability to use it with a high level of proficiency in professional, academic and social environments
- prepare students for postgraduate study in areas that make extensive and intensive use of the target language
- develop students’ written translation skills, into and from Chinese
- begin to develop students’ liaison interpreting skills, into and from Chinese

Outline Of Syllabus

This module is aimed at final year students of Chinese, who have reached a near-native command of the language, either because they took the ‘higher route’ (Level B, C, D) through their degree or because they made outstanding progress during the period of study abroad in China and were permitted to skip Level C (Level A, B, D).

The Semester 1 syllabus comprises 6 scheduled hours per week, divided as follows:

1 Speaking class
1 Reading class
1 Writing class
1 Business Chinese class
2 Written Translation classes (1 in each language direction)

The Semester 2 syllabus comprises 6 hours per week, divided as follows:

1 Reading class
1 Writing class
1 Business Chinese class
2 Written Translation classes (1 in each language direction)
1 Liaison Interpreting class

Advanced reading, writing and written translation skills will be based on topical themes emerging from a range of text types. Liaison interpreting skills will be based on a range of professional situations and exchanges.

Specific topics and materials used in group practice sessions will be based on current affairs, and will initially be provided by the lecturer/teacher. Subsequently, students will research and supply
materials themselves, under the close supervision of the lecturer/teacher.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Language classes will introduce, model and offer guidance in each of the skills that students are required to practise during the course, including advanced speaking and listening, intensive reading, summary and commentary writing, participating in critical debate, oral presentation, written translation and liaison interpreting).

The translation classes (into both languages) are taught online because students can complete translation tasks in a setting that is as close to a real-life professional situation as possible.

This module will be delivered in a mixture of Chinese (=the norm) and English (for the purpose of complex explanations).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Translation is assessed by means of an in-class PC exam (15%) and students are allowed to make use of online dictionaries so that the exam is performed in a setting as close to a real-life professional situation as possible.

The oral exam in Semester 2 (20%) composes discussion and liaison interpreting tasks. It will test students’ ability to produce and present their output orally and discuss with a target language speaker spontaneously. The interpreting exam task is performed in a simulated real-life scenario, for example, the student will be interpreting for a doctor seeing a patient who doesn’t speak English.

A 150-minute written exam in Semester 2 assessment period (35%) on vocabulary, reading and writing skills. Students will be expected to hand-write in the target language. Students may be allowed to type their own answers if they have physical disability and it is supported by a SSP.

The portfolio of writing assignments and business Chinese task (30%) are necessary in order to allow students to acquire competence steadily. It also provides students with the opportunity to have constant feedback on their performance.