Teaching Chinese language in a fast-changing world

An ANU Language Teaching Forum talk by Dr Yun Zhou

• Monday 2 August 4.15-5.15pm 
• By zoom. For link contact yanyin.zhang@anu.edu.au
• Free and all welcome 

Abstract

I started to convene Modern Chinese 6 (beginning advanced level) in 2020. The textbook titled “Reading into a New China” comes with a subtitle “Deciphering a Changing Society.” However, from the time when the textbook was published in 2017, more changes have taken place and COVID-19 just foregrounded the theme of change in a modern world. Coupled with the shift to online teaching due to the pandemic, I pay more attention to designing the course with up-to-date knowledge and utilising digital tools to create an engaging online learning environment. In my classes, students are immersed in tasks where they use newly learnt grammar points and vocabulary to comprehend current trends and rephrase using their own words. I firmly believe that the small departures from textbook sources to interpret and reflect on real situations not only instils vigour into language learning but also enhances students’ adaptability and resilience, teaching them how to adjust to new circumstances and environments. Through doing so, I came to think about teaching language as more of a way to comprehend a fast-changing world, both far and near.

 

ANU Language Teaching Forum (LTF)

The ANU LTF is organising monthly talks during Semester 2. The LTF is jointly organized by two ANU colleges, CAP and CASS, and provides a platform for language teachers and researchers at ANU as well as school and community school teachers in Canberra and Canberra region to share their language teaching experiences and reflection, research studies, and pedagogical ideas.