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Scenes from the University of Rhode Island

Chinese (B.A.)

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Outcome Statements for Chinese Majors

A. Language Proficiency

  1. Speaking

    a. Students are able to handle most uncomplicated communicative tasks and social situations.

    b. Students can initiate, sustain and close a general conversation.

    c. Students show evidence of connected discourse.

    d. Students can generally be understood even by persons not accustomed to dealing with Chinese language learners at this level.

    e. Students are able to deal appropriately with basic socio-linguistic aspects of Chinese, such as the use of the formal vs. informal address.

    f. Students are able to complete complicated tasks, such as support opinions, talk about hypothetical situations, and carry on discussions and debating.

  2. Listening

    a. Students can sustain understanding over longer stretches of connected discourse on a number of topic

    b. Students show an ability to understand the gist of complex speech on an unfamiliar topic, such as a television documentary or a lecture on a cultural topic.

  3. Reading (simplified and traditional versions of characters texts)

    a. Students are able to read texts in areas of the students’ interest or professional field.

    b. Students are able to comprehend the main idea and some detailed aspects of linguistically complex texts on unfamiliar topics.

  4. Writing (simplified version of Chinese characters)

a. Students can write about a variety of topics in detail, but with limited accuracy.

b. Students are able to meet most practical writing needs, including letters, reports and essays.

c. Students produce a text with a good structure cohesively

B. Cultural Competence

  1. Students have a basic knowledge of China’s geography – including economic geography – within the context of Chinese speaking countries and regions.
  2. Students are aware of important historic periods, events and personages of Chinese history.
  3. Students are able to identify major contributions of the Chinese-speaking countries to the arts and culture as well as science and technology.
  4. Students can identify several important individuals who contributed to Chinese culture (high and low), such as writers, painters, composers, filmmakers, etc.
  5. Students have a basic understanding of Chinese’s economic, political and educational systems.
  6. Students will have the cross-cultural awareness enabling them to function in professional and social  settings.
  7. Students are aware of important aspects of contemporary Chinese society and the political system.

C. Practical and Professional Skills

  1. Students will be able do the cross- level language interaction in a learning community, engaging both cognitively and emotionally.
  2. Students will be able to demonstrate individual and collaborative problem-solving abilities through task-based language activities.
  3. Students will have familiarity with professional etiquette and awareness of appropriate registers for professional interactions.