Note:
Mandarin Chinese I, II, and III Honors are offered at the following high schools:

• Seventy-First
• Cumberland International Early College

Honors Mandarin Chinese Conversation and Composition, Mandarin Chinese IV Honors, and AP Chinese Language and Culture are offered only at the following high school:

• Seventy-First

MANDARIN CHINESE I
Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Chinese I is an introductory course to Mandarin Chinese. Though students will receive instruction in all four aspects of the language (oral, listening, reading, and writing), during the early stages of their Chinese studies, class time will primarily be devoted to acquiring basic oral and listening skills. Once students are more familiar with structural conventions, they will be challenged with reading and writing materials that include some unknown characters in order for them to develop their skills under more authentic circumstances. In addition to gaining communicative and linguistic competence, students will be exposed to the Chinese culture in order to better understand the cultural context in which their language skills will be used. The course will provide students with the ability to communicate interpersonally in daily life. Topics will include greetings, basic introductions, making appointments, location, countries, languages, descriptions, shopping, and food. A proficiency exam will be given at the end of the course.

MANDARIN CHINESE II
Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese I or Mandarin Chinese I, Part I and Mandarin Chinese I, Part II (middle school) and language proficiency
This course builds on the skills introduced in Chinese I. Aural comprehension, pronunciation, and speaking exercises facilitate oral communication. Additional vocabulary and grammar are introduced to further develop reading and writing skills. Students expand their capacity to read and write Chinese characters. Students continue to study Chinese history, culture, and society. A proficiency exam will be given at the end of the course. 

MANDARIN CHINESE III HONORS
Grade Levels: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese II and language proficiency
In this course students will continue to gain oral proficiency through a variety of language activities including games, dialogues, oral presentations, and imaginative tasks. Meanwhile, efforts will be continuously made to improve the accuracy of the student’s pronunciation and the ability to convey meaning. Reading and writing skills will be taught in meaningful contexts. The culture and language integration at this level will be focused on the “life way” study, and the student will develop an appreciative acquaintance with Chinese culture. Students will take what they have learned and will use it in more complex sentences, phrases, and conversation. Students are expected to speak longer sentences and ask simple questions on familiar and unfamiliar topics. A proficiency exam will be given at the end of the course.  
HONORS MANDARIN CHINESE CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION
Grade Levels: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese III Honors and language proficiency
This course aims to enhance the students’ understanding of Chinese culture and introduce them to issues in contemporary China through reading and discussion. Authentic texts of Modern Chinese, including newspaper articles and published writings of literary, cultural, and social interest will be introduced in the course. A proficiency exam will be given at the end of the course. 

MANDARIN CHINESE IV HONORS
Grade Levels: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese III Honors and language proficiency
This course offers continuing instruction in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with particular emphasis on consolidating basic conversational skills and improving reading confidence and depth. Chinese I, II, III and IV form a sequence. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to speak in Chinese, with some fluency on basic conversational topics. They should be able to read texts composed of characters introduced in the textbook in both simplified and traditional characters, and they should be able to write short compositions using these characters. Classes are made up of lecture sessions, cultural studies, drill practices, discussion, reading comprehension practice, listening comprehension practice, situational dialogue practice, and language games. Classes will be conducted in Mandarin. A proficiency exam will be given at the end of the course. 

AP CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Grade Levels: 11, 12
Prerequisite: At least 90 average in Mandarin Chinese III Honors or Mandarin Chinese IV Honors, language proficiency, and teacher recommendation
This is an intensive course designed for highly-motivated students to improve competency and gain proficiency in Chinese. The course provides extensive preparation for the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam given in May. Students write biweekly compositions in Chinese and develop their speaking, listening, and writing skills at an advanced level by making recordings. Students are expected to become competent in reading and in understanding spoken Chinese using authentic sources. A concise review of grammar and extensive vocabulary are addressed throughout the year. A proficiency exam will be given at the end of the course.