Current Affairs in Mandarin
This is a jointly funded project by the Centre for Learning Technology| and the Language Centre in order to promote Mandarin learning for social science purposes. The project aims to support LSE students to produce talk shows in Mandarin in relation to current affairs in today’s world. In the academic year 2011/12, ten videos will be produced.
Each video clip will focus on a global event or a piece of news at the heart of the media. It encourages language learning outside the classroom and the up to date feature of the language involved goes beyond what traditional textbooks can ever offer.
During the 15 minutes talk show, the audience will be introduced to key words related to the chosen topic and how to use them in a meaningful context. This will be followed by a lively discussion, in Mandarin, by LSE students.
The recorded talk shows will be broadcasted on Moodle as well as the LSE Youtube channel.
If you are interested in getting involved in the project please see this invitation| from Dr Catherine Xiang|.
Download: Video|
This video is an example video of the project. Dr Catherine Xiang| talks to students Lin Jing and Yang Di.
Self Study Package for Advanced Learners
This Self Study Package is designed for advanced learners of Mandarin (post A level or equivalent). It aims to provide self study materials which learners can use to enhance their linguistic and transferable skills. The type of tasks will be interactive and meaningful. The whole package has four main social science themes:
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Society and Culture
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Economics and Business
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World Politics
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Global Media
Within each block various tasks are to be developed aiming at improving four linguistic skills respectively: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The materials will be made available on Moodle on completion. Dr Youlan Yu| is the project leader.