​Chapter 1: "The Matchmaker"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT INTRODUCTIONS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
高小音    Gāo Xiǎo Yīn [personal name]
  • 高小音是高文中的姐姐。

介绍    (jiè shào) to introduce

一下    (yī xià) once, a bit
  • To express that *an action is carried out briefly* or "a little bit," you can add 一下 (yīxià) after the verb. Sometimes 一下 (yīxià) can soften the tone.
  • Subj. + Verb + 一下 + Obj.
  • Often, adding 一下 (yīxià) just makes the Chinese feel more natural.
  • GRAMMAR: Here, "一下" acts as a *COMPLEMENT*. What is that? A complement is a word or phrase following a verb (or sometimes an adjective) that provides additional meaning to the verb phrase. There are many different types of complements. Complements can describe duration, quantity, state, degree, result, direction, or possibility.​
    • 你看一下，这是谁的照片？= Take a look. Whose photo is this?
    • 你想吃点儿什么？= What would you like to eat?
    • 你进来一下。= Come in for a minute.
    • 你喝一点儿茶吧。= Have a little tea.

介绍一下    to introduce a bit
  • 来，我介绍一下，这是我姐姐，高小音。

高兴    (gāo xìng) happy, pleased

认识你很高兴 ／ 很高兴认识你  ＝ Meet you very happy / Happy to meet you
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: take turns introducing your friend "高小音" to your partner.

TRAIN: write three sentences in your journal using the following structure:​ 一下

WRITE: write a diary entry about your friend's house party, where you were introduced to a very intriguing person...
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 高小音，介绍，一下，认识你很高兴
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: Come, let me introduce you [briefly], this is my older sister, Gao Xiaoyin.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 高小音是高文中的姐姐。
  • 我介绍一下，这是我姐姐，高小音。
  • 小音，你好。认识你很高兴。
  • 认识你们我也很高兴。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about introductions.
  • Introduce someone to someone else.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 2: "Love at First Sight"

HOW TO COMPLIMENT SOMEONE
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
漂亮    (piào liang) pretty [used to describe things and women]
  • 你们家很大，也很漂亮。

帅    (shuài) handsome [used to describe men]
  • 我的男朋友很帅。

学    (xué) to learn, to study
  • 学生 ＝ student，学校 ＝ school
  • 我喜欢学中文。= I like to study Chinese.​
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: Take turns complimenting each other (especially on their appearance).

WRITE: write a love letter to someone you recently met at a friend's house party. Make sure to compliment them and let them know why you are interested.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 漂亮，帅，学
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 你们家很大，也很漂亮。
  • 我的男朋友很帅。
  • 我喜欢学英文。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Compliment someone on their appearance.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 3: "Secret Worlds"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT LOCATIONS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
在    (zài) at, in, on [preposition]
  • 在 is used to indicate the location of a person, event, or action.
  • subject + 在 + location + verb + object
    • Remember, prepositions come before the verb in Chinese!
  • 小音，你在哪儿工作？
  • 我在学校工作。
  • 我在这儿工作。= I work here.
  • 我在这个大学学中文。= I learn Chinese at this school.
  • 我不喜欢在家看电影。= I don’t like to watch movies at home.

哪儿    (nǎr) where [question word]
  • 小音，你在哪儿工作？

学校    (xué xiào) school
  • 我在学校工作。

图书馆    (tú shū guǎn) library
  • 高文中的姐姐叫高小音，在学校的图书馆工作。​
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: ask each other about the locations where you like to get work done on campus.

WRITE: write a letter to your new love interest, asking them to meet you at a certain location for your first date.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 在，哪儿，学校，图书馆
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule: (in English) Explain the word order of locations in a Chinese sentence.
  • Translate: Little Yin, where do you work?
  • Translate: I work at a school.
  • BONUS (Puzzle): List at least five different question pronouns. Explain in what situation to use them.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 小音，你在哪儿工作？
  • 我在学校工作。
  • 高文中的姐姐叫高小音，在学校的图书馆工作。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about locations.
  • Inquire about the location of a person (including where they work and/or study).
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

​Chapter 4: "Take Me To Your Leader"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT REQUESTS AND FULFILLING REQUESTS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
要    (yào) to want
  • 我要一瓶可乐，可以吗？

​想 vs. 要：
  • 想 + verb as 'would like to'
  • In many cases, it might be better to think of 想 as being more like 'would like to' rather than 'want'. When used for expressing wants, 想 can only be followed by a verb or verb phrase.
    • Example: 我想吃中国菜 = I would like to eat Chinese cuisine.
  • Now we're on to the second 'want' verb: 要. 要 expresses 'to want' or 'to need' quite emphatically; OR it expresses a definite intention.
  • It's commonly used when ordering things. To order something with 要, you might use it with a verb (as in 我要喝水, above), or with a noun:
    • Example: I want [to order/to get] a bottle of cola = 我要一瓶可乐
  • For more info, read this article: https://www.chineseboost.com/grammar/xiang3-yao4-xiang3yao4-difference/

可以    (kě yǐ) may/can
  • 我要一瓶可乐，可以吗？

对不起    (duì bu qǐ) sorry
  • 对不起，我们家没有可乐。​
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
WRITE: write a letter to a persistent romantic suitor, telling them you are not interested in them.

SKIT: in groups, write a dialogue based on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • The customer has a request.
  • ​The shopkeeper unfortunately cannot fulfill the request!
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 要，可以，对不起
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule: Explain the differences between the usages of "要" vs. "想." Give examples.
  • Translate: I want a bottle of cola, is that okay?
  • Translate: Can't do [that]!
  • TARGET: no more than 1 grammar mistake.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 我要请你吃饭，可以吗？
  • 对不起，不可以。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Make a request.
  • Decline or fulfill a request.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #1: ACT 1 REVIEW

Picture
Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
​Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​Perform the following conversation tasks: 
    • Introduce someone to someone else.
    • Compliment someone on their appearance.
    • Talk about different locations.
    • Inquire about where a person works and/or studies.
    • Make and respond to requests.
    TARGET: at least a 3 in ALL categories.

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