Chapter 5: "Love Triangle"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT A DATE FOR TWO
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成            (chéng) [v]; to become
  • 李友对王朋的印象很好，王朋也很喜欢李友，他们成了好朋友。

就            (jiù) [adv]; just, only (indicating a small number)
  • 没有，就我们俩。

就 + number + MW + noun ＝  "just/only" a [#] of [noun]
  • When used before a noun or a pronoun, 就  means “only.” Often the noun or pronoun is modified by a numeral-measure word combination.​​ ​
  1. 我们班人很少，就七个学生。＝ Our class is small, with just seven students.
  2. 今天功课很少，就五个汉字。＝ There’s little homework today. Only five Chinese characters.
  3. 我们一家五口，就你对味精过敏。＝ There are five people in our family. Only you are allergic to MSG.
  4. 三个房间我打扫了两个，就一个房间还没整理。＝ I have cleaned two of the three rooms. Only one room hasn’t been tidied up yet.

俩            (liǎ) [n]; (colloquial) two
  • 俩 stands for “两个”
    • Used informally or casually
  • 就我们俩 = just us two
  • 没有，就我们俩。​
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:​
  • 就 + number + MW + noun

SPEAK: role-play between two young people who like each other. Person A asks Person B out on a date. Person B asks about the details of the proposed date.

WRITE: picture two people on a romantic first date. They're taking a walk on the beach, and it seems like they're the only two people in the entire world...Write a song for the two to sing, as if they were in a musical.
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 成，就我们俩
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: Only the two of us.
  • BONUS (RULE): in English, explain the complex meaning of the adverb "就." State at least FOUR different uses of 就 that we've learned, and give examples of each usage. Explain how each usage is connected to the larger meaning of 就!
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 李友对王朋的印象很好，王朋也很喜欢李友，他们成了好朋友。
  • 没有，就我们俩。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about a date for two.
  • Talk about becoming friends.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

​Chapter 6: "Saving Face"

HOW TO DECLINE A DATE POLITELY
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面子        (miàn zi) [n]; "face" (ie. to have face/save face)

FACE:
“Face” is a very important concept in Chinese culture. Chinese people are typically very concerned about “saving face,” not only for themselves but for other people as well. That is the reason a Chinese person would usually try to find excuses when turning down a request or an offer, instead of rejecting it bluntly.
  • NOTE: this is NOT a physical face (脸).
  • 面子 is roughly equivalent to reputation, honor, or prestige in a social context.
  • 面子 is not a face that can be washed or shaved, but a face that can be "granted" and "lost" and "fought for" and "presented as a gift".

给面子        to give "face"
  • 给面子 ＝ to give somebody “face” by showing respect for the other person’s feelings
  • Indirectly declining a date by making a fake excuse is a way to 给面子 to the asker. By turning the asker’s offer in a nice way, the asker doesn’t lose as much face.
  • 因为李友想给费先生面子，所以她说他太忙了。＝ Because Li You wants to give Mr. Fei face, so she said she was too busy.

旅行        (lǚ xíng) [v]; to travel
  • 对不起，下下个周末更不行了，我要跟我的男朋友去纽约旅游。

电             (diàn) [n]; electricity
  • 费先生，对不起，我的手机没电了。再见！
Lesson
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SPEAK: discuss the concept of "giving face" when declining a date. What do you think? In such a situation, should people be direct and honest, or indirect and polite?

WRITE: write a gossip blog post: Rumor has it that So-and-So #1 asked So-and-So #2 out on a date, but So-and-So #2 declined! What a juicy scandal! Or is it...?
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 面子，给面子，旅行，电
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Culture (in English): Explain the concept of "face" in Chinese culture. Why is it important?
  • Culture (in Chinese): 什么是"给面子"？怎么给面子？为什么给面子？
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 因为李友想给高先生面子，所以她说她太忙了。
  • 对不起，下下个周末更不行了，我要跟我的男朋友去纽约旅行。
  • 费先生，对不起，我的手机没电了。再见！
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • How do you decline a request without hurting someone's feelings? What can you say?
  • Has this happened to you before? Explain.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 7: "Run Away!"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT CLEANING THE HOUSE
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房子  (fáng zi) [n]; house, building, apartment
  • 我的房子大 ,可是他的房更大！= My house is big, but his house is even bigger!

​打扫        (dǎ sǎo) [v]; to clean up (a room, apartment or house)
  • 下个周末也不行，我要从宿舍搬出去，得打扫，整理房间。

整理        (zhěng lǐ) [v]; to put in order
  • 下个周末也不行，我要从宿舍搬出去，得打扫，整理房间。

房间        (fáng jiān) [n]; room
  • 我的房间又大又漂亮。＝ My room is both big and pretty.
  • 下个周末也不行，我要从宿舍搬出去，得打扫，整理房间。

搬            (bān) [v]; to move
  • 搬家 ＝ move homes
  • 我明年要搬到加州 = Next year I’m moving to California.
  • 下个周末也不行，我要从宿舍搬出去，得打扫，整理房间。

搬出去    (bān chū qù) [vc]; to move out
  • 搬＝verb，出去＝compound directional complement
  • See Chapter 4 for more information about compound directional complements.
  • 下个周末也不行，我要从宿舍搬出去，得打扫，整理房间。​
Lesson
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SPEAK: discuss your standards for cleanliness: are you a neat freak, or do you have a messy room? What would you do if your roommate disagreed with you on how clean your room should be?

WRITE: Write a blog post on the importance of cleaning your room before moving out.
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 房子，打扫，整理，房间，搬出去
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 对不起，我没空，下个周末也不行，我要从宿舍搬出去，得打扫，整理房间。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about cleaning the house.
  • Talk about moving places (either moving in or moving out).
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 8: "Vampire vs. Werewolf"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT EXPENDING EFFORT
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费        (fèi) [v]; to spend (effort)
  • 费时间 ＝ spend time，费钱 ＝ to spend (waste) money
  • 票已经买好了，我费了很大的力气才买到。

力气        (lì qi) [n]; strength, effort
  • 费力气 ＝ spend effort
  • 票已经买好了，我费了很大的力气才买到。

早        (zǎo) [t]; early on, a long time ago
  • The primary meaning of "早" is early, but in an extended sense it can also mean "a long time ago" or "early on."
  • 好极了！我早就想看中国电影了。
Lesson
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structures:
  1. 费 [to spend]
  2. 早 + 就 [early on]

​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue about going on a date to see a movie. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • Person A asks Person B out on a date and tries to schedule a time for the date.
  • Person A decides she doesn't like Person A, declines the date with an "excuse" (giving face)
  • Challenge: introduce a love triangle with Person C
  • Use these structures: 对...印象很好；费... 力气，Potential Complements，Compound Direction Complements
 ​
WRITE: write a manifesto on the benefits of expending energy only on important things, and not expending any energy on unimportant things. Explain that it is critical to develop this habit early on in life. 
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 费，力气，早
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: The tickets are already bought, but only after I spent a lot of effort did I get them.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 票已经买好了，我费了很大的力气才买到。
  • 好极了！我早就想看中国电影了。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about expending effort, and why.
  • Talk about doing things early on.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #2: ACT 2 REVIEW

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Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Talk about becoming friends.
    • Talk about the Chinese concept of "face"; give examples of it.
    • Talk about cleaning the house.
    • Talk about expending effort to do things.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 in ALL categories.

BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!