Svetlana Xu - American University

Professor: Svetlana Xu

Department: TBD

College: American University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHIN212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Xu is one of the best language teachers! She takes the time to make sure her students understand everything. She is very approachable and genuinely wants to see her students succeed. There is a lot of homework, but all of it is helpful and prepares you for the exams. You will actually learn the language in her courses!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHIN213
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This was my second semester taking Chinese with Prof. Xu and I love her even more. She wants her students to do well and learn a lot at the same time. She's very understanding and yes, the class requires A LOT of homework, but it's worth it - if you keep up you'll do well!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHIN212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

There may seem to be lots of assignments (each chapter has 2 quizzes, a test, a bunch of workbook exercises, an essay, a recording, and a translation), but you have enough time to get it all done. Tests are very predictable and you will get an A if you pay attention in class and do all your assignments.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHIN212
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I LOVE Prof. Xu. She's so smart and really wants her students to succeed. She's always willing to help outside of class, and she's very understanding. She teaches very well and has pretty high standards, but if you keep up with the work, you should do well. So excited to be taking Chinese again with her next semester!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHIN200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Xu cares A LOT about her students and truly provides the best help in office hours. Hugely homework heavy, pretty lenient grading, but definitely requires a lot more effort than a regular hybrid course. The course definitely meets it's 5 credit expectation.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHIN213
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Xu definitely cares about her students, but her teaching method could use some work. Rarely in class do students have the opportunity to converse in Chinese, which is critical in learning a language. Xu also expects students to watch hours of video lectures before each class, but then goes off topic in the classroom.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHIN212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Xu pushes her students but not always in the best way. She pushes you to know the ins and outs of the languages which may not be necessary for your goals. Requires lots of work and expects you show up knowing everything from the lesson, meaning you won't learn the core materials in class. Could learn same concepts from a free YouTube video.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHIN212
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Xu is an excellent Chinese instructor, and as long as you are willing to put the time and effort into learning the language, you will be able to see improvement. The coursework itself is pretty easy, but she will challenge you to use more and more advanced grammar, so be prepared! Definitely take her class if you want to improve.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHIN212
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Xu has to be my favorite professor. This is my second semester taking her class and I hope to have her next semester. She is so insightful and knowledgeable and makes you want to learn more about Chinese culture. She is always available if you need help. Although it is a lot of work she acknowledges hard workers and doing the work is beneficial.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHIN112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Xu Laoshi herself isn't that bad but if you're a student taking chinese for the first time without any previous experience (which you should be since this is a 100 level class) the amount of work and self teaching expected from you is CRAZY. this was the hardest class i took this semester. very fast paced. unfair expectations

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHIN212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I've taken Professor Xu for three semesters of Chinese (two beginner, one intermediate) and made sure I can take her class next semester too. Her classes are a great mix of different activities and combine all the skills of langauge, and she's very enthusiastic, helpful, and encouraging. I cannot recommend her enough for Chinese.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHIN313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Xu is arguably the best professor in the Chinese dept. She is very straightforward and her requirements are clear. Preview the lessons do your workbook participate in class study for the quizzesexams and actually prepare your presentation and you will get an A. She notices effort and really cares about her students. Go to Office Hours

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHIN113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

One of the best teachers at AU...If you really want to learn Chinese, I would definitely recommend her. She makes things easier to understand and makes sure you go to the Chinese lab, which is really really helpful. And she cares about whether her students learn Chinese. If you do your homework, you'll definitely ace the class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHIN112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Xu is a delightful person as well as a great teacher. She takes a comprehensive approach to learning languages and the pacing is just right. My only issue is that she sometimes calls students out in class for not practicing enough (not in a mean-spirited way). Her class makes me actually want to get up in the morning for class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHIN213
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is amazing! She really believes in her students and goes out of her way to make sure they have all the resources they need. Office is always open and she is always willing to talk to you at other times. The class is well structured and you learn a lot!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHIN212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Xu is perhaps the best professor in the Chinese department at AU (granted there are only 3 fulltime professors...). She places heavy emphasis on grammar, translation, and vocabulary. There is a lot of homework (workbook), language lab requirements, and frequent quizzes-all doable! She's also very approachable and kind. Highly recommend.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHIN213
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Office hours are always open. She is very very helpful. The homework may be long, but you get 2 weeks to do it. The tests are fair and she has interesting stories about China. If you want to learn Chinese, take her.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHIN112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Xu Laoshi is an awesome professor! Chinese is a difficult language, and she knows that, especially in the beginning semesters. But, that doesn't mean she lets you goof off. You HAVE to do the work for her class and you MUST attend her classes. But if you do all of that you'll realize how helpful her instruction is. Good grader too!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHIN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Took chin elementary I&II.You will really enjoy this class if u are serious abt learning chin.Hw is mandatory but it helps you with you chin.attendance is not mandatory but going to class is helpful because it gives you more practice.She is very understanding and lenient too.As long as u study and do your best you should get a good grade.B+&B 4 me

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHIN113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She's a sweetheart who really wants her students to succeed. Focuses a lot on grammar and vocab, and homework is always required. She'll give you extra credit opportunities if you think of a good proposition, though! Also, has the BEST stories about China!