University of Technology Sydney

97116 Chinese Business and Administrative Language

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: International Studies: International Studies and Languages
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 97110 Twentieth Century Chinese Fiction OR 97113 Chinese Culture and Heritage OR 97112 Language in Chinese Screen Studies OR 97109 Communicating About Chinese Media

Description

Students develop advanced levels of specialised linguistic proficiency in Modern Standard Chinese. Students are introduced to a wide range of business and administrative genres, styles and forms of writings that are frequently used in formal communication in the Chinese environment. These range from business letter, job interview and public speech genres, to business planning and policy writing conventions. Students learn the styles of formal writing, build up a vocabulary for business purposes, and practice writing and speaking techniques through a series of assessments that are intended to enhance students’ intercultural awareness and employability in an international and cross-cultural business environment.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Select and deploy register, rhetoric, genre, concept and specialist vocabulary through exposure to business and administrative writings of a wide range of genres and purposes
b. Communicate professionally in writing and speech in Chinese through competent use of specific and advanced linguistic skills and devices
c. Develop awareness of when to deploy various Chinese and business cross-cultural communication practices

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):

  • Analyse, generate and communicate creative solutions to work-related problems within professional and everyday settings across diverse cultures in Australia and internationally. (INT.2.2)
  • Understand and engage with cultural diversities in Australia and/or internationally. (INT.3.1)
  • Communicate effectively and appropriately in an additional language for everyday and professional purposes. (INT.3.2)
  • Engage critically with current issues to act in socially responsible ways in Australian and international settings. (INT.5.1)
  • Communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken language using diverse digital technologies. (INT.6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject utilises flipped and hybrid teaching and learning strategies and both online and face-to-face delivery modes. Students use online and face-to-face class time for interactive practice and advancement of linguistic skills through personalised learning and group discussions, practices and/or presentations in flexible but guided and monitored physical or virtual classroom activities. Students also deepen their understanding of professional practices, theories and concepts and clarify subject content.

Preparation for these activities requires students to complete exercises and reading/listening/viewing activities prior to coming to class and for them to make effective use of subject materials (including those posted online), community and peer resources available to them to support their learning.

Students will customise their learning experience by engaging with Chinese business and professional language and practices from intercultural perspectives, and tailoring their practice and learning to maximise understanding and appreciation of Chinese business and administrative systems, customs and common practices.

Students are encouraged to explore subject materials and concepts through independent research, creative outputs and/or close textual analysis.

Content (topics)

This subject aims to develop advanced level of specialist communicative skills and practices in Chinese language. Students are given a wide range of professional and administrative writing and speech genres, and study the register, rhetoric and vocabulary that are used in a variety of professional, administrative, political and business situations and environments. They learn sophisticated grammatical and syntactic structures, formalities, advanced vocabulary, and the cultural nuance in communication, and are expected to attain a good grasp of the communicative forms and techniques in these areas through immersion in original texts and extensive exercises. During the course of study, students are encouraged to reflect on their own workplace cultures and communicative norms. Through comparison, they are expected to enhance the comprehension of communicative practices in different cultural settings.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Letter writing

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 30%
Length:

400 characters

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Accuracy, richness and appropriateness of written language, personal communication register, vocabulary, grammar, rhetoric, and style 40 a, b INT.3.2
Coherence and clarity of content and arguments 40 a, b INT.3.2
Objectivity and sensitivity towards cultural assumptions 20 c INT.3.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Public Speech Presentation

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 40%
Length:

5 minutes

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Accuracy of spoken language including vocabulary, register, styles, and use of rhetorical devices that are appropriate for the topic and situation 30 a, b INT.3.2
Relevance, cogency and originality of topic 30 a, b INT.3.2, INT.5.1
Awareness of and sensitivity towards cultural assumptions 20 a, b, c INT.3.1, INT.5.1
Clarity of presentation, including pronunciation, body language, pace, tones, etc. 20 a, b, c INT.6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Business/Administrative Report

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 30%
Length:

2000

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Accuracy of written language, including vocabulary, register, styles, and use of rhetorical devices, structure of the report that are appropriate for the purpose and function of the report. 40 a, b INT.3.2
Depth, cogency and practicality of content, analysis and argument 40 a, b INT.2.2, INT.5.1
Objectivity and sensitivity towards cultural assumptions 20 c INT.3.1, INT.5.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Required texts

There is no prescribed textbook for this subject. Selected materials will be available at UTS Online weekly.

Students should also be aware of the Policies and Procedures for Assessment of Coursework Subjects:

http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/assessment-coursework-policy.html,

http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/assessment-coursework-procedures.html

References

?? (Zhang, T). (2014). ??????????? (Appreciation and Writing of Traditional Chinese Letters). Beijing: Shijie Tushu Chubanshe

??? (Zhou, L.). (2016). ???? (A New Collection of Letters). Changsha: Yuelu Shushe.

?? (Wang, Q.). (2016). ???? (Appreciation of Public Writing). Beijing: Beijing Lianhe Chuban Gongsi.

??? (Xie, Y.). (2015). ????????? (Good Writer Training Course). 4 volumes. Shanghai: Changjiang Wenyi Chubanshe.

??? (Liu, W.). (2015). ?????????100??? (100 Most Common Mistakes in Business Writing). Beijing: Renmin University Press?

?? (Jiang, Y.). (2010). ?????? (Work Report Writing). Beijing: Zhongguo Fangzhi Chubanshe.

?? (Zhang, Y.). (2011). ??????? (How to Write Research Report). Beijing: Zhongguo Minzhu Fazhi Chubanshe.

?? (Zhao, H.). (2008). ???????? (How to Write Speech for Boss). Beijing: Zhongguo Minzhu Fazhi Chubanshe.

??? (Li, S.). (2007). ????? (How to Write Reports). Beijing: Zhongguo Minzhu Fazhi Chubanshe.