Chinese

The Chinese curriculum at Fei Tian is a combination of Chinese language and culture. The language courses range from basic reading and speaking of Chinese to reading ancient Chinese texts and writing essays. The curriculum also provides courses in Chinese history and civilization. High school students are placed according to their prior exposure and proficiency in the Chinese language.

Chinese Language Basic Level

Chinese 101A/102A, 101B/102B
Chinese 201A/202A, 201B/202B

Some of the students in these courses have little or no background in Chinese. Others may be what are called “heritage speakers:” overseas Chinese who are not entirely new to the language and may understand the Chinese that is spoken at home but have little or no literacy. Chinese Language Basic Level series of courses introduce and reinforce basic literacy skills across the four modalities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These courses give a basic overview of different tones and pronunciation, vocabulary, and skills in reading and writing. Students practice their Chinese through teacher-led or group listening and speaking activities. By the end of this level, students are expected to be able to recognize about 500 Chinese words and be able to write at least a few hundred words. Students must take a basic level Chinese language proficiency exam at the end of the course in order to proceed to the next level.

Chinese Language Intermediate Level

Chinese 301A/302A, 301B/302B

The Chinese Language Intermediate Level further develops students’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. The goal is to have students reach an intermediate level of proficiency in the language. The language experience is enriched by supplementary materials including videos, newspapers and magazines, and songs as well as Chinese language learning software and online materials. Upon completion of these courses, students should have mastered a vocabulary of about 800 words. Students must pass the Fei Tian Intermediate Level Chinese language proficiency exam and/or the SAT Subject Test for Chinese With Listening at the end of Chinese 302B.

Chinese Language Advanced Level
Chinese 401A/402A, 401B/402B

This course series will continue to build the students’ speaking, reading, and writing skills and take them to a higher level of sophistication in the language. The courses at this level are conducted almost entirely in Chinese. Upon completion of this level, students should have mastered a vocabulary of about 1,500 words and can be considered fluent in the language. Students at this level begin to develop their academic Chinese skills. They read original texts and examine the meaning and impact of their readings within the Chinese cultural tradition. Students must pass the AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam or the equivalent at the end of 402A.

Classical Chinese Language
Chinese 501A/502A, 501B/502B

This course series focuses on the ancient style of language used in traditional Chinese texts and poetry. Students are considered highly advanced at this stage. They study various examples of classic Chinese literature, such as Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdoms as well as the works of the traditional Chinese sages. Emphasis is placed on further refining writing skills so that students may express themselves with clarity and precision in the Chinese language.

Chinese History I

This is a required course at Fei Tian in which students explore what it means to be "Chinese"; by studying historical legends and moral concepts that form the foundations of Chinese culture. Students are given an overall chronological framework of the different dynasties that make up China’s history, from the Qin dynasty through to modern China, and are presented with a basic introduction to the major traditions and legacies of China. This course is offered in two sections: English and Chinese.

Chinese History II

Considered an elective, this course requires satisfactory completion of Chinese History I. It covers the formation of China’s intellectual, social, and political culture in antiquity and traces its development through various dynastic periods over the same general time frame as Chinese History I. Chinese History II, however, studies major figures and developments in Chinese history in greater depth. The course looks in particular at the resilience and weaknesses of China’s imperial system during its final centuries before examining the challenge that China’s traditions posed to those seeking institutional reform and modernization. Because this course seeks to use the study of China as a means for developing more general skills in the discipline of historical analysis and writing, students are required to complete research projects for this course. The course is taught primarily in Chinese and requires at least an intermediate level of Chinese proficiency.