<p>I just decided I want to major in Global Studies and as a prerequisite, I need to take up to level 6 of a foreign language. I really want to take Chinese and if I take the placement test now, I'll probably end up in level 1. Since I have to wait until next year to take Chinese, I won't fulfill my foreign language requirement until the end of my junior year...which might put me behind schedule. What I want is to do some intense self-studying this summer (I already speak and understand the language really well and went to Chinese school as a kid) so I can try to place into level 4 this fall.
My question is, how much do you learn in Chinese 1-3? And are there any textbooks/study materials you use in class so I'll know how much catching up I have to do?</p>
<p>Yeah, Mandarin. That's what my mom tells me all the time since she wants me to go into business (I'd rather go into foreign affairs though). haha
But can somebody answer my question please?</p>
<p>Trust me, kid. Giving it 100% will only get you halfway there. Your hate isn't strong enough. And you know what? It never will be.</p>
<p>I don't understand...</p>
<p>Umm...I don't quite remember how much I learned in 1-3, but there are two tracks: regular and A track. Regular track is for people who don't know the language, and A track is for those who can speak and understand it but don't know how to write it. I think the book that's being used is a blue textbook - you can go into Ackermann's bookstore and take a look at their book. As for how far they go I'm not sure, but I'm sure you can find the professor's e-mail online and ask her (her last name is Sun - for Chinese 1A-3A). There's also an intensive Chinese language course offered during summer that covers 1-3, 4-6, and 100 series (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). So if you're really worried about being behind/not placing into 4 you can take the intensive course for 1-3 and move into 4 in the fall. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you so much. I'll contact the teacher soon.
Anyway, so do they only teach simplified Chinese writing at UCLA? I learned traditional and I kind of wish I can continue learning that instead of simplified.</p>
<p>ugh. simplified. yuck.
i haven't taken chinese, but my guess is that they might do simplified in lectures/discussion? for speed purposes. but when it comes to personal writing and reading, they should have both forms. it's not like traditional is banned...though it takes a little more time to write.</p>
<p>They teach both simplified and traditional characters (the textbooks include both). From the classes I've taken so far, whatever they put on the overhead/powerpoints will sometimes have both systems, and sometimes just one (it varies). As for handouts/hw, for my professor (Shen), she passed out both types so you could pick whatever you were learning. I'm not sure how Professor Sun and Yao teach (A-track professors), but I'm assuming it's somewhere along the same lines.</p>
<p>Oh, forgot to say - I think the intensive language courses are also offered at uci/berkeley for the summer. You can check to see if they have it/will transfer over if you're not in LA and want to do the intensive courses.</p>
<p>Unrelated to main topic: Ok, i know this isn't the best thread for this, but I think it's better than reviving an old one since this is here. </p>
<p>What is the policy on getting out of having to take a foreign language, if you've taken four years in HS? I heard somewhere that if you take a language for four years, you can avoid that particular GE requirement. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, Sun and Yao both pass out both simplified/traditional, so no worries. I'm in 100B right now. </p>
<p>Locke19: You can only get out of the foreign language requirement if you demonstrate than you can pass out of level 3. You can take the placement tests during freshmen orientation or at the beginning of the quarter, or if you've passed out of the AP tests...</p>
<p>PX: Thanks!</p>
<p>PX - Ohh, same class as me =P</p>
<p>Not sure if I am the right person to judge, but I think I should be able to place into the major. My background is just from speaking and learning a bit of reading/writing from my parents when I was a kid. </p>
<p>From what I can tell from the Chinese majors, you don't really need to know much. Took a glance at their textbooks, roughly 3rd to 4th grade Chinese. The writing requirements are fairly low too.</p>