Abstract
Based on feedback from students and in light of CU’s language policy (two written languages and three spoken forms), non-credit bearing courses in Putonghua and Cantonese for different groups of students are considered as a good addition to credit bearing language proficiency courses. The proposal here is the final product of many discussions among key players in policy making (CU senior administration 2016-19), IASP (International Asian Studies Programme) and relevant language teaching unit (Yale–CChina Chinese Language Centre). All courses listed in this proposal have gone through the normal procedure of course approval by the Senate Committee on Language Enhancement as well as the Faculty of Arts.
Yale–China Chinese Language Centre (CLC), as part of the Faculty of Arts, offers language training in Cantonese and Putonghua to CUHK local students, non-local Mandarin speaking students and non-Chinese speaking students. To meet the changing needs of the students and with encouragement from the University, CLC has offered a series of non-credit bearing Cantonese and Putonghua courses to all CUHK students during 2016-19. The courses are well received and CLC is proposing to refine and continue offering the series of non-credit bearing courses to help all CUHK students including undergraduates and postgraduates in adjusting to Chinese speaking environment in CUHK and Hong Kong.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
Based on feedback from students and considering CU’s bilingual policy, non-credit-bearing courses in Putonghua and Cantonese for diverse groups of students are considered as a good addition to credit bearing language proficiency courses. The first batch of non-credit-bearing Putonghua and Cantonese courses was supported by TDLEG 2016-19. The courses are well received in the 2016-2019 triennium and the Yale–China Chinese Language Centre (CLC) continues to offer the series of non-credit-bearing courses to help all CUHK students including undergraduates and postgraduates in adjusting to Chinese speaking environment in CUHK and Hong Kong for the 2019-22 triennium. 6 courses from basic survival level to professional usage have been offered in 2016-19. After analyzing the actual enrollment data, the 6 courses have been trimmed down to 5 courses in 2019-22 to gear better to the need of students, in particular, to non-local international and Mandarin speaking students. The courses operated into the second triennium. The PI and Co-PI reviewed the courses and their operations from time to time and conducted regular meetings with the class teachers for quality assurance. Grade descriptors has been revised and approved by the Senate Committee on Language Enhancement (SCLE).
Activities, process and outcomes
32 classes in 2019-22 triennium were opened to all CUHK students including local, non-local, undergraduates, postgraduates and exchange students. There are two levels, survival level and advanced level for both non-credit-bearing Cantonese and Putonghua courses. Survival level courses equip one for an enjoyable stay in HK and academic pursuit in CUHK. Advanced level courses equip one for making presentations in formal settings like in-depth discussion, job interview, meeting, and public speech. eLearning materials on Blackboard are reviewed and provided to students. Publicity scheme (adopted in 2016-19) will be reviewed for a better marketing mix and to strike a balance between non-credit-bearing and credit bearing course enrolment. Non-credit-bearing courses are scheduled with less time clash with students’ major and minor lessons.
Deliverables and evaluation
The list of courses below is proposed to be launched in 2019-2022. CLC offers a total of 15-17 classes annually. The actual courses offered each year and the number of classes for each course as proposed here will depend on enrolment.
1. CLCC1000 Survival Cantonese for International Students
2. CLCC1100 Survival Cantonese for Native Putonghua Speakers
3. CLCC3100 Cantonese for Real Life Communication (Formal setting)
4. CLCP1000 Survival Putonghua for International Students
5. CLCP3100 Putonghua for Real Life Communication (Formal Setting)
In 2019-22 triennium, there were 524 students enrolled in 32 non-credit-bearing classes. Around 90% of the students has over 70% attendance rate and finished assigned language tasks in relate to their proficiency level. Students are highly satisfied with the non-credit-bearing courses (2019-22: 5.42/6, 2020-2021:5.45/6, and 2021-22: 5.66/6). A 6-point scale was used in the online course evaluation.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
The non-credit-bearing courses information was sent through CUHK Information Technology Services Centre (ITSC) mass mail, CLC’s websites. The courses were also promoted in collaboration with Office of Student Affairs (OSA), Office of Academic Links (OAL) and Postgraduate Hall Office of CUHK. The curriculum, teaching method and outcome will be disseminated in departmental workshop and international conferences.
Impact on teaching and learning
Online synchronous teaching mode was tried out in non-credit bearing courses with students during 2019-22 with satisfactory results. Majority of the international and non-local students stayed outside Hong Kong because of the pandemic benefited from this teaching mode. Students’ attendance was high. Online course evaluation was used to monitor the satisfactory level of the course. A 6-point scale was used in the online course evaluation. Students are highly satisfied with the non-credit-bearing courses (2019-2022: 5.42/6, 2020-2021:5.45/6, and 2021-0222: 5.66/6).
