It is harder at the first semester. Students just got enrolled in the program and are fully exposed to mandarin courses. They had a hard time even to comprehend information, let alone produce information. So we decided to use 500 characters for the first semester. Then when the 2 nd semester came, students felt more at ease to produce lengthy essays. It is very natural for them to exceed 600 characters. Around midterm, we coordinated with their content course teachers and announced that the rest semester the essay would be 800. The final then is 3000, the same length as college students in China.
Recognize basic cultural and historical manifestations of Chinese throughout the centuries. Expand knowledge of cultural and linguistic theory and related terms and concepts that are essential in the understanding of the diverse composition of current Chinese autonomous communities, as well as the participation of China as a member of the Asia Community. Demonstrate understanding of connections among perspectives of the Chinese culture and its practices and products, while recognizing the value and role of literary and cultural texts, and using them to interpret and reflect upon perspectives of the target cultures over time Recognize basic cultural and historical manifestations of Chinese throughout the centuries. Expand knowledge of cultural and linguistic theory and related terms and concepts that are essential in the understanding of the diverse composition of current Chinese autonomous communities, as well as the participation of China as a member of the Asia Community. Demonstrate understanding of connections among perspectives of the Chinese culture and its practices and products, while recognizing the value and role of literary and cultural texts, and using them to interpret and reflect upon perspectives of the target cultures over time