East Asian Languages and Societies Commons^™

Improving Chinese Language Learning Through Collaborative Kahoot Mode, Hongmin Yu

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This study used quantitative methods to assess students' Chinese language learning attitudes and learning habits on Kahoot, a game-based learning platform. Kahoot enables teachers to transform bland Chinese vocabulary memorization into exciting, game-like situations. It makes Chinese language learning fun and interactive. The study aims to compare Kahoot team play mode with individual play mode. Sixty-four fifth graders participated. In the experimental group, students grouped by themselves or teacher to compete with one another. They enjoyed working together to share what they knew and learned from each other. Students were tested prior to the course (pretest) and following the course …

The Use Of An Elicited Imitation Test To Measure Global Oral Proficiency Of L2 Chinese At The Postsecondary Classroom, I-Huei Lee

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

With a growing number of foreign language studies on proficiency outcomes, it is imperative to address the challenge of measuring students’ proficiency development in a language program where standardized proficiency testing is not readily available. This article reports administering a Chinese elicited imitation test (EIT) by an instructor to track students’ global oral proficiency development in a small language program in a mid-size U.S. public university. The test results from the EIT of second language (L2) Chinese suggest that this tool can provide the instructor with valuable insights into students’ oral proficiency. This study also discusses the potential practical value …

Producing Podcasts In A Chinese Classroom: A Digital Humanities Project, Dongdong Chen

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This paper describes an experiment that engages students taking the second part of an Introductory Chinese course with an assignment to create podcasts in the form of an interview. Requiring students to integrate the aural, oral, and textural information via technology so as to carry a conversation with an interlocutor challenges them to convey their thoughts from the language they think in into meaningful ideas using the target language. In this way, students are "pushed" to convert their listening, speaking, and writing from being isolated components into a more dynamic and cohesive mode of communicating. As they explore expressing their …

Table Of Contents, Huiwen Li

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Table of Contents

Needs Analysis In Teaching Chinese For Special Purposes: From Theory To Practice, Zhongqi Shi

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

As a critical component of curriculum creation and syllabus design, needs analysis has not been widely used in the field of teaching Chinese as a foreign language. To address some common misconceptions, this article discusses various aspects of need analysis with the goal of structuring a more comprehensive picture of this approach. Based upon that, a variety of needs analysis methods are introduced through examples, aimed at enabling frontline Chinese teachers to effectively use needs analysis in their own classrooms and ultimately improving their instruction.

Theme-Based Second Language Learning Through Multimodal Experimental Animation, Bailu Li, Yuan Xu

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

In a digital, multimedia, and globalized world, new theories such as multimodality, multiliteracies, and theme-based instruction have signaled a shift in the Chinese as language art and Chinese as second language teaching and learning. However, these theoretical frameworks have not been frequently integrated and implemented in the field of CFL. Focusing on the theme of "Personal and Public Identity'', the article proposed a new attempt to synthetically combine multimodal texts, multiliteracies pedagogy, and thematic learning in CFL classrooms. Through the three selected experimental animations, the article discussed teaching methods and procedures in the topics of individuals and families, individuals and …

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy In Teaching Proficiency Through Reading And Storytelling, Jing Gao

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

When the demographics in American public schools becomes more diverse, educators have been challenged how to be prepared to work with diverse student learners. In education field, culturally relevant pedagogy has been widely recognized as an effective practice for teaching about diversity and used across different school subject areas. This article discusses four aspects that teachers can implement culturally relevant pedagogy in TPRS language classrooms, including a caring learning community, establishing meaning, story asking, and story reading. Teachers can include and empower students by validating them as learning subjects and engaging them in knowledge creation and representation in curriculum and …

L2 Chinese Reading Comprehension Among Beginning-Level, K-12 Learners: A Literature Review, Diane E. Neubauer

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This review focuses on beginning-level, K-12, L1 English learners, and considers their reading comprehension of texts written in Chinese characters and literacy development. Instructional approaches, materials design, and teaching and learning strategies related to reading texts in Chinese characters in these settings are reviewed. This review includes both empirical studies and think pieces that appeal to prior empirical work in L2 Chinese reading to understand what Chinese as a Second Language scholars research, discuss, and advocate about reading comprehension for L2 learners mainly at beginning levels of K-12 education. This literature review therefore includes a variety of source materials: empirical …

A Polite And Respectful Acceptance —— Implicit Function Of Refusal In Chinese From Pedagogical Perspective, Yawei Li

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This paper discusses the implicit function of refusal expressions that has been used by Chinese native speakers when responding to people’s offerings. By analyzing three conversations regarding how Chinese people have accepted people’s offerings during different time periods (1960’s, 1980’s, and 2000’s), the author argues that the verbal refusal in reacting to people’s offerings (especially gifts) does not literally mean “No, I don’t want it.” Instead, it is a way to show humility, politeness, and respect to the gift giver, and it functions as an implicit form of acceptance. By referring to three excerpts chosen from The Book of Rites …

Studying Chinese Characters In A Web-Based Learning Environment: A Case Study Of Swedish University Students, Tao Yang, Man Gao

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This survey study aims to investigate the perceptions learners have of the character-learning strategies they employ when taking a web-based course in Chinese. The seven Likert-scale statements are included in the questionnaire to examine learners’ opinions on the three character-learning strategies that are widely used in traditional campus courses. A total of 65 students who completed the beginner level ‘Chinese Characters’ web-based course at a university in Sweden completed the survey. The results suggest that students in web-based courses consider these three strategies to be just as helpful and effective as campus students; moreover, the more orthodox strategy – rote …

Table Of Contents, Huiwen Li

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Table of Contents

Applying Movietalk In Chinese Language Instruction, Qiuping Yuan

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This instructional design paper introduces an instruction method called MovieTalk. Discussed are the reasons of MovieTalk application in class, the criteria of choosing appropriate MovieTalk materials, and the concerns for MovieTalk instruction. The design aims to explain the benefits of this comprehensible input method of Chinese language instruction of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. With the Disney cartoon film “Bridge” as an example, this design employs the backwards design to demonstrate how to deliver MovieTalk instructions step by step in class with the TPRS method and class activities.

A Discussion On The Approach Of “Connections” To Chinese Character Studies In Teaching Chinese As A Foreign Language, Alex Yuan

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Based upon over ten years of his Chinese character teaching experience, the author introduced the approach of “connections” to the Chinese character studies in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. The application of “connections” would make Chinese character more interesting, feasible and effective, thus potentially improving students’ passion for and confidence in Chinese language and cultural studies.

Achieving Efficient Teacher Talk: A Reflective Analysis Of Teacher-Student Class Communication, Xiaoyin Wang

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies on “teacher talk” used in TCSL classrooms. Many of these studies are focused on language interactions between the teacher and the students as well as on the individual functions of “the teachers’ classroom talk.” This article examines the current status of, and problems associated with, teachers’ instructional language, i.e., teacher talk. Based on transcripts of audio recordings of teachers’ instructional language, this study analyzes problems ranging from inaccurate to excessive words in the instructional language and the causes of these problems. This article also validates the study …

The Role Of Extra Curricular Activities On Chinese Language Learning In Zimbabwe, Pretty Tahwa

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This study aims to explore the effect of participation in extracurricular activities (ECAs) on Chinese language learning in Zimbabwe. The study employed survey design as the major research method. The questionnaire constructed by the researcher included ‘yes/no’, multiple choice and open-ended questions. A total of 45 students from the University of Zimbabwe participated in the study. The results indicate that more than 78% of students had some experience with ECAs and were aware of ECAs available through their university. Language-related ECAs included trips to China, luncheons at Chinese restaurants, games and competitions, movies, and language retreats. The majority of respondents …

A Discussion On The Pedagogical Concepts In Confucian Analects From The View Of The Pedagogy Of Performed Culture Approach, Kai Liang

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Confucian Analects contains many pedagogical concepts and viewpoints that have a significant influence on China’s culture and history. Many of the concepts can be interpreted and understood from the perspective of the pedagogy of Performed Culture Approach. This paper investigates the meanings of some Confucian pedagogical discussions and thoughts, such as communicating with other social members, the relationship between language and behavior, multiple procedures in learning, and how social contexts affect one’s language and performance in the Analects, which is mainly from the perspective of the relationship between language and Performed Culture Approach.

Heritage Language Development: Expectations And Goals, Stephen Krashen, Haiyun Lu, Nooshan Ashtari

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

What should we expect from heritage language (HL) acquirers? We propose that given access to “optimal input,” we can eventually expect very high performance, native or near-native. But it won’t happen right away. It takes time.

Table Of Contents, Huiwen Li

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Table of Contents for Volume 3, Issue 1 of Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Chinese Language Teacher Professional Growth: A Case Study, Yufei Guo, Wenjing Wang, Huiwen Li

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Chinese language teachers grow with certain characteristics in their professional development. Knowing these characteristics can reveal a teacher’s developmental needs which can inform the teachers and the teacher development facilitators. This case study examines the professional development of one Chinese language teacher that works in a high school in the United States. The Five-Stage Theory is employed to direct the examination of the teacher’s growing path. Findings cover the challenges, efforts to cope with the changes, successes, and failures.

Etymologies Of Chinese Hànzì And Japanese Kanji: Explanations On Liùshū 六書 And Rikusho 六書, William P.M. Funk

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This paper outlines Liùshū 六書 interpretations of Chinese character etymology to help co-create a better approach for educators in supporting character literacy development in students of the East Asian languages that utilize Chinese writing. The Liùshū 六書 Rikusho 六書approach to character instruction can be interpreted as a strategy to spark interest in western learners providing more detailed explanations that deal with the pictographic and compound nature of Chinese character formation. All non-English words are italicized or bolded, Chinese based terms are in Mandarin Pīnyīn 拼音, and Japanese terms are written in Romaji ローマ字 representing their differences phonetically to integrate foreign …

Learners’ Perspectives On A Long-Term Tandem Chinese Language Partner Program, Jun Xu

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Tandem language learning is important in enhancing learners’ language proficiency and fostering cultural knowledge. However, learners’ perspectives on tandem learning programs have received little attention, and no research exists concerning learners’ perspectives on long-term tandem language learning. Based on an anonymous online survey, this article examines how learners perceive a face-to-face tandem Chinese language partner program after participation for three years. The results indicate that, whereas the participants acknowledge the benefits of the participation of the language partner program, they identify challenges regarding logistics and task design. The implications of the findings are also discussed.

A Comparative Study Of The Chinese Characters In The Graded List And The Ebcl List, Qi Zhang, George Xinsheng Zhang, Yuanhui Gao

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

This study scrutinizes the Chinese characters in two reference works compiled as part of two projects: the Graded list and the EBCL list. Situated in the character-based theory, the characters compiled in both are examined in depth from the perspective of character complexity, character structure, semantic and phonetic radical transparency, frequency of character and frequency of word formation. The results show that the two lists share similarities in terms of distribution of characters of different structures, level of semantic radical transparency, and frequencies of character and word formation. The character complexity of the Graded list is higher than that of …

Teaching Proficiency Through Reading And Storytelling, Haiyun Lu

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Human beings are wired for stories (Brown, P258). Throughout our existence, stories have been an integral part of our meaning making, and informational transportation. Stories are embedded in our biology. We do not just tell stories and hear stories, we experience stories emotionally and cognitively, and we feel stories physically in the body. Stories have been used in every aspect of human life, and have always been part of language teaching as well. Researches have shown that narrative films and readings help to develop empathy, perspective taking, understanding ourselves and others and increase literacy. TPRS is a fun and effective …

Table Of Contents, Huiwen Li

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Table of Contents for Volume 2, Issue 2 of Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Hanban Teachers’ Culture Shock And Adaptation In The U.S.: A Mixed Method Study, Yufei Guo, Huiwen Li, Hui Pang

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

When entering into the United States, Hanban teachers will face a totally different cultural environment. The different culture may lead to culture shock. This research, by employing mixed methods, investigated the culture shock the Hanban teachers in the United States have experienced. By looking at the teachers’ personal characteristics and the happenings to the teachers in the culture shock period, it also identified the main factors that significantly predict the culture shock. In addition, practical ways were suggested to help the teachers cope with cultural shock effectively.

Keywords: Hanban teachers, culture shock, predictive factors, culture adaptation

American K-12 Cfl Teachers’ Expected Competence, Actual Qualifications, And Needs For Professional Training: A Concurrent Mixed-Method Study, Xiongyi Liu, Ying Feng, Shunqin Li, Xiaocong Ding

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

In recent years, there has been a growing demand in the global labor market for proficiency in Chinese as a foreign or second language. Yet not much is known regarding how Chinese language education is provided by the U.S. schools in order to meet this demand. The present study investigated the competence that a Chinese teacher is expected to have as well as the qualification that currently in-service K-12 teachers of Chinese are actually possess. In addition, this research explored teaching philosophies, attitudes, pedagogy, challenges and needs for professional training among the Chinese teachers who are currently hired by U.S. …

Developing Effective Exercise Forms In Chinese Newspaper And Periodical Reading Class, Haiyan Liu

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Applying good exercises in extensive reading class is an indispensable measure for Chinese language learners. By employing newspaper and periodical extensive reading course as an example, this paper introduces technology-based reading techniques developed from the teaching practice, including rhythmic spacing, speed-reading, news-telling, and English video translation. Suggestions are also made on teaching resource identification and future research. The aim of this pedagogical report is to help extensive reading teachers learn how to develop systematic teaching methodology.

The Past And Present Of Chinese Language Teaching In Ireland, Caitríona Osborne, Qi Zhang, Yongbin Xia

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

China’s booming economy is indeed one of the main reasons for the popularity of learning Chinese as a foreign language (henceforth CFL). With this growing interest in CFL, Ireland is likely to be behind global trends as Chinese is not yet included as a State-examined subject at any level in the Irish schooling system. Chinese language teaching (henceforth CLT) began to develop significantly in formal UK schooling during 2004-2005 (Zhang & Li, 2010), whereas the earliest occurrence of CLT seen in the Irish education system was in 2006-2007 when two Confucius Institutes were set up in Ireland. During this time, …

New Approach To Chinese Writing: An Exploratory Study Of Writing Performance On Social Q&A Online Community, Lin Zhu

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

Many studies have investigated how the online community has informed language acquisition and teaching. In the scholarship of Computer-Mediated Communication Theory (CMC), while most of the studies have emphasized second language English writing using the CMC framework, evidence is shown to support CMC in foreign language instruction. However, there is a lack of research on how feedback from native speakers of Chinese influences Chinese learners’ writing in a web environment. In response to the research gap, drawing on sociocultural and CMC, the current exploratory study probes the nature of feedback on Zhihu, the largest Chinese social question-and-answer website, and how …

Challenges Of Employing Voicethread To Enhance U.S. Collegiate Chinese Language Learners’ Oral Proficiency, Guangyan Chen, Junyu Zhang

Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology

The digital age in education inspires Chinese teachers to integrate Web 2.0 technologies into Chinese as a second language (CSL) curricula to enhance teaching effects. However, few studies examine the challenges that teachers face when integrating Web 2.0 technologies to improve student oral proficiency in Chinese. This study aims to investigate students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the Web 2.0 technology VoiceThread (VT). It examines the challenges of integrating VT to enhance student oral proficiency. The authors conducted two studies with 31 students responding to a questionnaire in Study 1 and 48 students responding to the same questionnaire in Study …