Grading

A: 90-100;   B: 80-89;     C: 70-79;     D: 60-69;     F: below 59

Note: 

• Final grades will be calculated based on this grading scheme at the end of the semester.
• About attendance:
  • Our goal in this course is to understand the building blocks and building systems of languages together. Much of our learning will happen during class through group activities and discussions, so attending regularly is important. I strongly encourage you to participate actively by asking questions, sharing your thoughts, and getting involved in group work. While your attendance isn’t graded directly, it will help you learn more effectively and do better on quizzes, exams, and assignments.
  • Please bring a pen and some blank paper with you. I strongly suggest you leave your laptops/tablets/phones and other electronic devices in your bag during class. Research has shown that taking notes by hand can improve comprehension and retention of information. Additionally, without the distractions that electronic devices can bring, you are more likely to be fully present, participate actively in discussions, and engage with the material and your peers. The goal is to enhance your learning experience and foster a classroom atmosphere where everyone can concentrate and contribute meaningfully.
    • I will post lecture slides on Canvas, so you are free to access them before or after class, and print them out to bring with you if you wish. 

In-class oral presentations 10% + reflection essays on others’ presentations 10%

• As part of language practice, you need to give two in-class presentations in Chinese this semester: signing up and giving a presentation on a topic related to the lesson texts for five minutes. The sign-up link for the in-class presentation will be provided through Canvas Announcement.
  • We will have at most two students doing in-class presentations for a class meeting session.
  • If you cannot give your in-class presentation at the scheduled time due to any unforeseen circumstances, you should reach out to the instructor and classmates to see if you can reschedule your presentation for another time.
• As part of our intellectual exchange, you’ll need to write a brief reflection essay (200 characters) or record a short reflection video essay (2 minutes) in Chinese at the end of the day after your classmates’ presentations. This reflection will help you consolidate your thoughts and engage more deeply with the material presented by your peers.

Preview quizzes 10%

• Preview quizzes will be posted on Canvas. We will have 8 preview quizzes in total throughout the semester.
• The preview quizzes include:
  • Vocabulary and Text Reading Practice
  • Vocabulary and Text Hand-Writing Practice
  • Additional questions related to the topic.
• Preview quizzes are set for you to preview the lesson text and vocabulary before a class meeting session starts. If you anticipate any delay in submitting your preview quizzes, you should request an extension before the deadline by submitting the extension request form. The link to the extension request will be provided through Canvas Announcement.
  • You have two chances in total throughout the semester to request a one-week extension for a preview quiz.
  • If a submission is made after the deadline without a prior request for an extension, it is considered late. For each day the submission is late, the grade is reduced by 15%.

In-class Quizzes 10%

• In-class quizzes (such as listening and reading comprehension, and essay writing questions) will be included. We will have 8 in-class quizzes in total throughout the semester.
• You will need to prepare a pen at hand for each in-class quiz.
• Make-up quizzes will be given in my office for special reasons such as medical excuses or pre-arranged events like job interviews, and you will receive only 80% of the credit for a make-up quiz.

Review quizzes 20%

• Review quizzes will be posted on Canvas. We will have 8 review quizzes in total throughout the semester.
• The review quizzes include:
  • Language practice in written and speaking, listening, reading
• Review quizzes are set for you to review the lesson text and vocabulary after the completion of class lectures on a lesson. If you anticipate any delay in submitting your review quizzes, you should request an extension before the deadline by submitting the extension request form. The link to the extension request will be provided through Canvas Announcement.
  • You have two chances in total throughout the semester to request a one-week extension for a preview quiz.
  • If a submission is made after the deadline without a prior request for an extension, it is considered late. For each day the submission is late, the grade is reduced by 15%.

Tests 15%

• An in-class test is given every two lessons. We will have 3 in-class tests in total throughout the semester.
• If you cannot be available to take a test on the specified dates for valid reasons, email me as early as possible. No accommodation will be provided after the scheduled test takes place unless there is really an emergency. You will receive only 85% of the credit for a make-up test.

Final Skit Performance/Presentation/Movie Project 10% (video recordings of presentation 6%+presentation comments to others presentation 4%)

• This project will bring you out of the textbook and offer you a chance to present your language competency in Chinese as well as your creativity.
• Your project can cover any topic. Your project presentation should be at least 8 minutes (up to 10 minutes).
• You can make office hour appointments with me to talk about your plan for the final projects.
• You need to submit your video recordings of the final project presentation by the end of week 14.
• You will need to watch others’ final project presentations and post your evaluation feedback by the end of week 15. 

Final Exam 15%

• Your final exam covers all eight lessons and consists of the written and speaking sections.
• The written part will be on Friday, Dec 6, 11:20 AM - 2:10 PM in the classroom.
• The speaking part will be through Canvas, due at the end of December 8^th. 

Extra Credit (up to 5%) through Conversation Practicum

You have many opportunities to earn extra credit throughout this semester. The most important ways are to attend the Chinese Students Association’s conversation table, the Conversation Partner Program (CPP), and cultural events. You can also watch Chinese films, TV shows, learn Chinese songs, read short stories in Chinese, attend China-related cultural events, and join the GT Chinese student organization. The purpose is to interact with native Chinese speakers, practice your communication skills in Chinese, and learn about Chinese cultural and social life. I will also announce in class if there is an event you can attend and earn extra credit. You will need to submit a written report (300-500 characters) or a video report (3 - 5 minutes) in Chinese on what you learn. 

Each event/conversation/song/movie… is one “practicum” and earns you 1 point on top of your total grade. In your practicum report, you will need to keep a record of the time and place of each practicum, briefly introduce what the practicum is about, and list specifically what you learn through the practicum (for example, Chinese idioms, new expressions, something about Chinese culture, history, and society).