Professor
Liancheng Chief
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2023 - I really enjoyed this class. I took it for fun since I needed and elective. I'm not sure if it's the language or the class but I learned an insane amount in just 10 weeks. I did not expect to be able to speak as much Mandarin as I can from this short class. Despite that, this class is def an intense class and not a laid back few hours a week of work class. However, if you could P/NP you could be able to learn Mandarin at an easier pace if you wanted. Breakdown of the class: 2 lectures a week, SO much grammar and vocab gone over in each class. You have to participate, you will get called on randomly a ton and there will be pair work. However, its not the same as getting called on in a math class or something. Since its a language class its quite clear that the prof is just trying to provide a practice opportunity and not trying to on the spot test you or anything. 2 discussion sections a week. Most of the days we would have a quiz which are actually pretty hard but the lowest ones are dropped. I would cram study the characters and make my boyfriend do practice runs with me (the format of the quiz requires someone to speak out loud) and averaged an A for the quizzes. The lessons move really fast so make sure you arent slacking on studying since you will need to know past stuff for future assignments since its a language course. There were lots of workbook homework (a character and question based workbook assignment for each chapter). These would take me a few hours total per chapter. I chose to do traditional characters (most did simplified) and my hand would be hurting so bad, so I would spread out the work of these more if you have time. For the character workbook you would scan with ur phone and upload, but the question workbook you would have to print a lot of pages out and upload (I think you could use an ipad instead but you need to handwrite). The midterm and final was super fair, study and you will do fine. There was also a skit project you do with your discussion peers, which required a lot of prep time outside of class/disc. Its not worth too much of the grade and isn't graded too hard, but you kinda have to practice a lot or you will publicly embarrass yourself and disappoint your group lol since its a live performance. Some other notes: -The format is a little confusing since it isn't synced with bruinlearn (grades are on myucla), but we would still use bruinlearn pretty much the same amount of any course. So as someone really used to Canvas/bruinlearn it was kinda weird to have the grades and due dates not syned onto it. There's a really convenient assignment syllabus on a calendar format so that made things a lot easier. -This class takes a bit of a physical toll on you. The textbooks and workbooks are heavy and you have to bring them to class. Kinda sucked as someone who walks from westwood everyday. You could use an ipad instead to avoid this but not prob not a laptop since you need to handwrite. Also, the amount of writing is a LOT, but that just comes with Chinese bc of the characters/writing system. -You'll prob have to print a lot if you dont have an ipad (quizzes and HW need to be handwritten), so keep that in mind.
Fall 2023 - I really enjoyed this class. I took it for fun since I needed and elective. I'm not sure if it's the language or the class but I learned an insane amount in just 10 weeks. I did not expect to be able to speak as much Mandarin as I can from this short class. Despite that, this class is def an intense class and not a laid back few hours a week of work class. However, if you could P/NP you could be able to learn Mandarin at an easier pace if you wanted. Breakdown of the class: 2 lectures a week, SO much grammar and vocab gone over in each class. You have to participate, you will get called on randomly a ton and there will be pair work. However, its not the same as getting called on in a math class or something. Since its a language class its quite clear that the prof is just trying to provide a practice opportunity and not trying to on the spot test you or anything. 2 discussion sections a week. Most of the days we would have a quiz which are actually pretty hard but the lowest ones are dropped. I would cram study the characters and make my boyfriend do practice runs with me (the format of the quiz requires someone to speak out loud) and averaged an A for the quizzes. The lessons move really fast so make sure you arent slacking on studying since you will need to know past stuff for future assignments since its a language course. There were lots of workbook homework (a character and question based workbook assignment for each chapter). These would take me a few hours total per chapter. I chose to do traditional characters (most did simplified) and my hand would be hurting so bad, so I would spread out the work of these more if you have time. For the character workbook you would scan with ur phone and upload, but the question workbook you would have to print a lot of pages out and upload (I think you could use an ipad instead but you need to handwrite). The midterm and final was super fair, study and you will do fine. There was also a skit project you do with your discussion peers, which required a lot of prep time outside of class/disc. Its not worth too much of the grade and isn't graded too hard, but you kinda have to practice a lot or you will publicly embarrass yourself and disappoint your group lol since its a live performance. Some other notes: -The format is a little confusing since it isn't synced with bruinlearn (grades are on myucla), but we would still use bruinlearn pretty much the same amount of any course. So as someone really used to Canvas/bruinlearn it was kinda weird to have the grades and due dates not syned onto it. There's a really convenient assignment syllabus on a calendar format so that made things a lot easier. -This class takes a bit of a physical toll on you. The textbooks and workbooks are heavy and you have to bring them to class. Kinda sucked as someone who walks from westwood everyday. You could use an ipad instead to avoid this but not prob not a laptop since you need to handwrite. Also, the amount of writing is a LOT, but that just comes with Chinese bc of the characters/writing system. -You'll prob have to print a lot if you dont have an ipad (quizzes and HW need to be handwritten), so keep that in mind.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2018 - Good professor. He goes kinda fast in lecture to actually learn the words and characters but I think his emphasis is more on practicing speaking and listening to Chinese than writing. I ended up doing lots of flashcards and that got me through the class. The final is challenging and everyone has to participate in a skit at the end of the class. He can get really pissed if he catches someone on their phone or laptop and really wants people to attend lecture. Sometimes he'll do a participation quiz just to take attendance and he'll do role by calling your name to participate in class. There are weekly quizzes in discussion so if you slack on your character memorization your grade will take a hit, but it's really easy most of the time if you've done that. Homework isn't too bad and I mostly did it the night before and it only took 2/3 hours for workbook and characters.
Winter 2018 - Good professor. He goes kinda fast in lecture to actually learn the words and characters but I think his emphasis is more on practicing speaking and listening to Chinese than writing. I ended up doing lots of flashcards and that got me through the class. The final is challenging and everyone has to participate in a skit at the end of the class. He can get really pissed if he catches someone on their phone or laptop and really wants people to attend lecture. Sometimes he'll do a participation quiz just to take attendance and he'll do role by calling your name to participate in class. There are weekly quizzes in discussion so if you slack on your character memorization your grade will take a hit, but it's really easy most of the time if you've done that. Homework isn't too bad and I mostly did it the night before and it only took 2/3 hours for workbook and characters.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2019 - The pacing is definitely different from CHIN 1 and 2, as there are more sections in the textbook to cover. With that, there are more quizzes in sections. It can definitely add up quickly in terms of having to memorize words as well as doing the workbook. However, if you manage your time accordingly, this will be an easy A.
Spring 2019 - The pacing is definitely different from CHIN 1 and 2, as there are more sections in the textbook to cover. With that, there are more quizzes in sections. It can definitely add up quickly in terms of having to memorize words as well as doing the workbook. However, if you manage your time accordingly, this will be an easy A.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - I think this class was a SIGNIFICANT upgrade in difficult from 100A-C. I really struggled through this class and the readings, but I do feel like I've learned so much, and my literacy has improved. I would like it if more vocabulary could be tested, but I do like how much the class made me learn in terms of Chinese literature structure. Chief Laoshi also has a really good mastery of explaining complicated Chinese topics and ideas and words/phrases into English, so I understood about 85-90% of what was being said at any time. There was a pretty big difference in skill between the students of the class, but I never felt like I was lagging behind anyone else, and I appreciate that. The articles were also so interesting! It made me appreciate being able to read another language. I would just like it if Chief Laoshi could show us or provide us extra resources to practice reading as well, but there isn't much I'd change about the course besides being a bit more timely and staying on schedule since we often ended the unit without covering the entire essay or vocabulary list.
Fall 2024 - I think this class was a SIGNIFICANT upgrade in difficult from 100A-C. I really struggled through this class and the readings, but I do feel like I've learned so much, and my literacy has improved. I would like it if more vocabulary could be tested, but I do like how much the class made me learn in terms of Chinese literature structure. Chief Laoshi also has a really good mastery of explaining complicated Chinese topics and ideas and words/phrases into English, so I understood about 85-90% of what was being said at any time. There was a pretty big difference in skill between the students of the class, but I never felt like I was lagging behind anyone else, and I appreciate that. The articles were also so interesting! It made me appreciate being able to read another language. I would just like it if Chief Laoshi could show us or provide us extra resources to practice reading as well, but there isn't much I'd change about the course besides being a bit more timely and staying on schedule since we often ended the unit without covering the entire essay or vocabulary list.
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