Chinese I and Mediation
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Besides language classes, the course includes a module on Chinese culture focused on the relation between writing system and traditional culture. The connection between language classes and culture classes is motivated by the fact that the Chinese concept of "wen" (written sign) is a constitutive element of the concepts of "civilisation" (wenming), "culture" (wenhua) and "literature" (wenxue), as well as of the contrast between civil knowledge (wen) and military art (wu) characterising the millennial Confucian society. Students are expected to assimilate the cultural foundations of Ancient China, foundations that are crucial to understand the importance and features of the linguistic heritage and to take informed actions in the field of intercultural relations in the Chinese context.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the ability to read and translate texts from the textbook, as well as to have conversations in daily and routine situations, such as: introducing themselves, family and friends; saying hello/goodbye and thank you; talking about the weather and seasons; describing where they live; presenting study programmes; going shopping; etc. Students will be able to write 400 characters to form more than 400 words.
Moreover, students will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to study relevant aspects of the Chinese traditional culture, with reference to Chinese history, literature and history of thought.
Moreover, students will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to study relevant aspects of the Chinese traditional culture, with reference to Chinese history, literature and history of thought.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Unit 1
Introduction to the Chinese language; writing, phonetics and transcription system start-up; grammatical and syntactic structure of the simple sentence.
Teaching units 1-5 of the textbook "Comunicare in Cinese 1" will be covered.
Unit 2
Introduction to verbal complements; localisation in time and space; prepositional phrases; model verbs, modal particle le.
Teaching units 6-9 of the textbook "Comunicare in Cinese 1" will be covered.
Unit 3
Action in progress; modal verbs; relative clause; expressing future actions.
Teaching units 10-14 of the textbook "Comunicare in Cinese 1" will be covered.
Unit 4
The module will examine the main sources for the study of Chinese traditional culture. It will particularly focus on the development of Chinese writing system and of the most important schools of though.
Introduction to the Chinese language; writing, phonetics and transcription system start-up; grammatical and syntactic structure of the simple sentence.
Teaching units 1-5 of the textbook "Comunicare in Cinese 1" will be covered.
Unit 2
Introduction to verbal complements; localisation in time and space; prepositional phrases; model verbs, modal particle le.
Teaching units 6-9 of the textbook "Comunicare in Cinese 1" will be covered.
Unit 3
Action in progress; modal verbs; relative clause; expressing future actions.
Teaching units 10-14 of the textbook "Comunicare in Cinese 1" will be covered.
Unit 4
The module will examine the main sources for the study of Chinese traditional culture. It will particularly focus on the development of Chinese writing system and of the most important schools of though.
Prerequisites for admission
No previous Chinese language knowledge is required.
Teaching methods
The course is divided in four units: three are focussed on vocabulary, grammar and syntactic rules, and one on Chinese culture.
In parallel, the compulsory practice sessions led by a native-speaking teacher focus on the pronunciation and writing of Chinese characters, and engages students in comprehension and oral expression exercises.
In parallel, the compulsory practice sessions led by a native-speaking teacher focus on the pronunciation and writing of Chinese characters, and engages students in comprehension and oral expression exercises.
Teaching Resources
Adopted coursebook:
Masini, F. et al. (2021). Comunicare in Cinese - Volume 1. Milano: Hoepli (from unit 1 to unit 14).
Suggested readings:
Arcodia G.F., Basciano B. (2024). La lingua cinese. Roma: Carocci
Paternicò L.M., Varriano V., Tian H. (2021). Grammatica della lingua cinese. Torino: UTET
Abbiati, M. (2012). La scrittura cinese nei secoli. Roma: Carocci.
Masini, F. et al. (2021). Comunicare in Cinese - Volume 1. Milano: Hoepli (from unit 1 to unit 14).
Suggested readings:
Arcodia G.F., Basciano B. (2024). La lingua cinese. Roma: Carocci
Paternicò L.M., Varriano V., Tian H. (2021). Grammatica della lingua cinese. Torino: UTET
Abbiati, M. (2012). La scrittura cinese nei secoli. Roma: Carocci.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in two parts: one written test and an oral exam. To participate in the oral exam, the student must have first passed the written test.
The written test focusses on the following exercises:
- dictation of simple sentences (writing the characters)
- sentences in characters to be transcribed into pīnyīn and translated into Italian
- sentences to be translated from Italian into Chinese (characters only)
- sentences to be reordered
- sentences in which the missing word must be inserted into one of the blanks marked A, B, C, and D.
At the end of the first semester students can take a midterm test.
Both the results of the midterm test and those of the official written exam sessions will be valid for all exam sessions of the 2026-2027 academic year.
The oral discussion will be divided into three parts:
- reading and translation of the conversations and passages, and explanation of some grammatical structures covered during the course
- conversation in Chinese with the native-speaking teacher
- questions on the culture module
For students who have completed their previous course of study in China, the written test consists of writing a composition in Chinese, and the oral test consists of an interview with the Italian instructors. The candidate will be asked to translate into Italian readings from the textbook (Comunicare in Cinese - Volume 1), and to answer questions on the culture module.
The written test focusses on the following exercises:
- dictation of simple sentences (writing the characters)
- sentences in characters to be transcribed into pīnyīn and translated into Italian
- sentences to be translated from Italian into Chinese (characters only)
- sentences to be reordered
- sentences in which the missing word must be inserted into one of the blanks marked A, B, C, and D.
At the end of the first semester students can take a midterm test.
Both the results of the midterm test and those of the official written exam sessions will be valid for all exam sessions of the 2026-2027 academic year.
The oral discussion will be divided into three parts:
- reading and translation of the conversations and passages, and explanation of some grammatical structures covered during the course
- conversation in Chinese with the native-speaking teacher
- questions on the culture module
For students who have completed their previous course of study in China, the written test consists of writing a composition in Chinese, and the oral test consists of an interview with the Italian instructors. The candidate will be asked to translate into Italian readings from the textbook (Comunicare in Cinese - Volume 1), and to answer questions on the culture module.
ASIA-01/F - Languages and Literatures of China and South-Eastern Asia - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
Professors:
Arcodia Giorgio Francesco, Mottura Bettina Marta Rosa
Professor(s)
Reception:
Onsite or online, by appointment
Room 5011, Polo MIC, piazza Montanelli 1, 20099 Sesto San Giovanni (MI)