CHIN 1060

I highly recommend everyone take an Intro Chinese course with Gao Lao Shi. She is one of the most hardworking and caring people I've during my time at UVA, and she really enjoys the work she does. CHIN 1060 is designed specifically for students who grew up in a Chinese-speaking household. This course discusses important topics such as traditional vs simplified Chinese, generational differences, Chinatowns, identity, and different struggles of Asian Americans. Furthermore, Gao Lao Shi really cares about the overall well-being of her students, and not only in the classroom. On multiple occasions during the semester, she would check up on us to see how we were doing and was very understanding when it came to extensions for assignments. My advice for this class is to speak up and don't be afraid to mess up. This course really emphasizes collaboration and developing one's writing skills. Keep in mind that the classmates you have in CHIN 1060 will most likely be the ones you see in CHIN 2060 later on. Overall if you do your work and participate there shouldn't be any issues in getting an A in the course. Good luck to all!

I was nervous about this class before the semester started, but it actually became a class I really enjoyed. Everyone in class is a heritage speaker, so it's nice meeting people with similar backgrounds. Gao laoshi is extremely nice and approachable. As long as you participate and work hard, you will be fine. I will say there is a tingxie every class though and homework takes about 2-3 hours per class.

#tCF2020

This course is for heritage speakers. If you can speak Mandarin, and have a little bit of background in reading and writing characters (ex. you went to Chinese school), then you will have an easier time in this class. However, if you can't read or write at all, you will have to work a lot harder to keep up. We learn and are tested on new characters every class, and every 3-4 units there is an oral and written exam. The course starts off pretty easy, but as the weeks pass the characters become harder. However, Professor Gao is super nice and engaging, and because of the nature of the class most of your classmates are in the same situation as you! As long as you put effort into the class, you will do well.

Absolutely delightful as a teacher. Honestly, would not have gotten through Chinese without her 10/10 recommend to take