CHNS 6503 Bridging Theory and Practice: Pedagogical Issues in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language
Cecilia Chang, Associate Professor, Williams College
This course introduces students to the principles of second language acquisition (SLA), a field of study that investigates how people learn a second language (The term second includes "foreign" and "third", "fourth", etc.) and provides a basis for understanding the SLA research related to learning and teaching Chinese as a second language. Theoretical issues to be covered include what it means to know a language and how one becomes proficient in a foreign language, factors that affect the learning process, and the role of one’s native language in the process of second language acquisition. We will also examine what SLA research has discovered about teaching grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and writing. The goal of this course is to explore ways in which SLA theories can be applied to facilitate acquisition of Chinese as a second language both in terms of classroom teaching and syllabus design. Readings will be in both English and Chinese; classes will be conducted in Chinese.
Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation, short papers (3-5 pages), oral presentations, and a final research project.
H.D. Brown (2006) Principles of Language Learning and Teaching (5th edition)
White Plains, NY: Longman
徐子亮、吴仁甫. 实用对外汉语教学法. 北京大学出版社 2005. ISBN 7-301-08092-1, paperback.
CHNS 6510 Introduction to Chinese Linguistics
Cornelius C. Kubler, Stanfield Professor of Asian Studies, Williams College
Is Chinese – whose nouns “lack” number and whose verbs apparently have no tense – a monosyllabic, “primitive” language? Are the Chinese characters a system of logical symbols or “ideographs,” which indicate meaning directly without regard to sound? Should (and could) the characters be done away with and alphabetized? Are Cantonese, Hakka, and Taiwanese dialects or languages? And what is the relationship between Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese? These are some of the questions we will be taking up in this introduction to the scientific study of the Chinese language. Topics to be covered include: the phonological, syntactical, and lexical structure of Modern Standard Chinese; the Chinese writing system; the modern Chinese dialects; the history of the Chinese language; sociolinguistic aspects of Chinese; and language and politics in the Chinese-speaking regions and countries. Readings in English and Chinese, with class discussion conducted primarily in Chinese.
Defrancis, John. Chinese Language, Fact and Fiction. University of Hawaii Press
ISBN 0-8248-1068-6, paperback.
Kubler, Cornelius C., ed. NFLC Guide for Basic Chinese Language Programs. National East Asian Languages Resource Center, The Ohio State University. ISBN 978-0-87415-071-1
Norman, Jerry. Chinese. Cambridge UP. ISBN 0-521-296-53-6,
paperback.
Zhou Youguang. Historical Evolution of Chinese Languages and Scripts. National East Asian Languages Resource Center, The Ohio State University.ISBN 0-87415-349-2
A course pack will also be provided.
CHNS 6620 Seminar on Methodology and Materials for Advanced Chinese
Cornelius C. Kubler, Stanfield Professor of Asian Studies, Williams College
In our work as language instructors, we often employ terms like “advanced” and “high level”. But what do we really mean by these terms? And how does the content and learning/teaching of “advanced” or “high-level” Chinese differ from that of “intermediate” or “beginning” Chinese? After discussing these questions in light of the ILR and ACTFL proficiency guidelines and exploring the related factors of high vs. low frequency, colloquial vs. formal register, professional vs. lay usage, and accuracy vs. fluency vs. stamina, we will take up in this course the teaching of, and preparation of Chinese language materials on, the following topics: comprehension of radio, television, films, xiangsheng, and accented Mandarin; conversation involving formal vocabulary and grammar; word study; public speaking; error correction; interpreting; language for special purposes; reading of newspapers, correspondence, cursive script, modern literature, and Classical Chinese; composition; translation; and testing at the advanced levels. Readings in English and Chinese, with class discussion in Chinese.
A course pack will be provided.
CHNS 6615 Chinese Thought and Culture: Traditional Patterns, Modern Manifestations
David B. Honey, Prof. of Chinese, Brigham Young University
This course seeks to explore the influence exerted on modern Chinese society by the traditional philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Specifically, we will explore how these philosophies are manifested in such cultural forms as aesthetics and art, family dynamics and social structure, politics and economics, and language and communication. We will find that understanding the philosophical foundation of these modern cultural practices reveals continuities of thought and habits of thinking that help us understand why the Chinese act and think the way they do. Through this course students will gain a solid understanding of the main lines of thought of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Students will be able to discuss these concepts in Chinese, and be able to read selected short but foundational passages in classical Chinese and discuss them in modern Chinese. Students will learn to recognize the manifestation of these
philosophies in important modern cultural forms. The course requirements include two short papers, one long paper, and a reading log.
Slingerland, Edward G., trans. Confucius Analects, with Selections From Traditional Commentaries. Indianapolis: Hackett Company, 2003. ISBN 0872206351, paper back.
Gao, Ge, and Stella Ting-Toomey. Communicating Effectively with the Chinese. London: Sage Publications, 1998. ISBN 0-8039-7003-X, paperback.
Ames, Roger, and David Hall. Dao De Jing: a Philosophical Translation. Ballantine Books, 2003. ISBN 0345444191.
A course pack will also be provided.
CHNS 6640 Modern Chinese Novel and Culture
David B. Honey, Prof. of Chinese, Brigham Young University
Chinese culture is often most clearly revealed in novels. We will read portions of the most representative novels of Cao Xueqin, Wu Jingzi, Ba Jin, Bai Xianyong, and Wang Anyi as we trace the transition of cultural values from traditional Confucian lyricism to contemporary socialist realism. The vehicle of the novel also provides an effective entry into many aspects of contemporary society, such as class, gender, family dynamics, education, poverty, and power. We will focus on the transitional periods of late imperial and modern China as the Qing dynasty gave way to the Republic, and as the Republic yielded to the People's Republic when Chinese on both sides of the straits had to adjust to new political, social, and cultural realities. In terms of literary criticism, we will discuss such aspects as genre, intertextuality, symbolism, narrative structure, characterization, lyricism, and realism. Students will encounter new types of language in the novel, both the highly refined discourse of the literati and the wealthy as well as the slang expressions of the uneducated and the poor, and of course will learn to appreciate and criticize literature in Chinese. Course requirements include two short papers, one long paper, reading reports, and individual and group presentations.
David Hawkes, trans. Cao Xueqin. The Story of the Stone, also known as The Dream of the Red Chamber, vol. 1: The Golden Days. Penguin Books, 1974. ISBN 0140442936, paperback.
Gladys Yang, Hsieh-yi Yang, trans. The Scholars, .Foreign Language Press,. ISBN 9780835124072, paperback.
Pa Chin, Family. Cheng & Tsui, 1979. ISBN 091705640X, paperback.
Michael Berry and Susan Chan Egan, trans. The Song of Everlasting Sorrow. Columbia University Press, 2008. ISBN ISBN-10: 0231143427, hardcover.
《 红 楼 梦 》 。 人 民 文 学 出 版 社 ， 北 京 。 ISBN 7― 02― 00220
《 儒 林 外 史 》 。 春 风 文 艺 出 版 社 ， 沈 阳 市 。 ISBN 7― 5313― 0935― 1/I.853
巴 金 ， 《 家 》 。 人 民 文 学 出 版 社 ， 北 京 。 ISBN 978― 7― 02― 005895― 4
王 安 忆 ，《 长 恨 歌 》 。 作 家 出 版 社 ， 北 京 。 ISBN 7― 5063― 0957― 2/I. 948
A course packet will also be provided.
CHNS 6635 Social Changes Reflected in Contemporary Chinese Literature
Zhennan Zeng, Professor of Chinese Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
The mission of the novel, a genre of narrative art, is to depict human life and soul in a specific historical era and social environment. The development of contemporary Chinese literature profoundly represents the changes and progress of Chinese society. Since the implementation of social reforms and open-door policies starting 30 years ago, Chinese society and the people’s lives and spirit have undergone great changes, which are presented colorfully and vividly in contemporary Chinese novels. This course will analyze and discuss crucial issues in the process of social reform and modernization through the reading and analyses of literary works published during the New Era and in recent years. It will also discuss the Chinese people’s life style, cultural psychology, ethics, customs and habits, and language and diction revealed in novels. The combination of social criticism and literary appreciation will enhance the students’ understanding of Chinese society and culture, and improve their mastery of Chinese language and teaching. Reading and class discussion will be in Chinese. Course requirements include two short papers, and one final paper.
A course pack will be available.
Reference books:
张炯、邓绍基、樊骏. 《中华文学通史》第九卷中关于“当代小说”的章节. 华艺出版社. 1997. ISBN 7-80039-196-5.
王庆生. 《中国当代文学 》(上) (下) 中关于“当代小说的章节”. 华中师范大学出版社. 1999. ISBN 7-5622-2017-4.
曾镇南. 《曾镇南文学论集》 花山文艺出版社，2001. ISBN 7-80673-070-2.
CHNS 6690 Language Teaching Practicum
Jianhua Bai, Director, Middlebury College Chinese School, Professor, Kenyon College
Lisa Lin, Associate Director, Middlebury College Chinese School
This course is for students during the last summer of the MA program. It provides students with an opportunity for reflecting on what they have learned about Chinese language pedagogy and developing the ability to plan and implement pedagogically sound and effective classroom practices. Class assignments will include: reading and reflection papers on CFL pedagogy, teaching observations, guided lesson planning and micro teaching sessions.
Texts:
H.D. Brown (2006) Principles of Language Learning and Teaching (5th edition)
White Plains, NY: Longman。
汉语可以这样教—语言要素篇（2006），张和生主编，北京：商务印书馆。
9787100051545
汉语可以这样教—语言技能篇（2006），赵金铭主编，北京：商务印书馆。
9787100051538