Chinese
Commercial Chinese
Description
Commercial Chinese is a one-year advanced language course for business purposes. It is for students of intermediate level proficiency who have studied Chinese for three years in a regular college program. Commercial Chinese (I), with focus on international trade, will train students practical language skills used in actual business transactions within Chinese-speaking communities. Class materials will include readings on a particular theme in the business transaction cycle that brings out characteristic words or phrases in business contexts. Followed by most readings, students will be guided into real-life simulating business activities within the theme. Useful patterns and model dialogues will be provided and drilled before the activities. Students will also be trained to read and write/create business letters and documents. To enhance general language ability and understanding about modern China, weekly news will be posted on the instructor’s home page and discussed in class every week. For the similar purpose, students will be guided to watch a TV series, based on which journals are assigned each week. Class will be conducted primarily in Chinese.
By the end of the semester, students are expected to (a) enhance their cultural awareness about China and the Chinese business world, (b) be equipped with basic knowledge and language skills to participate in real business transactions and (c) learn to use Chinese software for certain business purposes.
Instructor
Dr. Fangyuan Yuan
Yang Feng Li
Email
fangyuan@sas.upenn.edu