rom June 14 to 15, 2017, the School of Education of Shanghai International Studies University invited Professor Zhuo Jing-Schmidt from the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Oregon to conduct two lectures on the theme of linguistic theory and teaching Chinese as a foreign language. The lecture attracted the teachers and students of the School of Education and other international schools. The rich lecture content and vivid examples benefited the teachers and students present at the scene.
The theme of the first lecture on June 14 was Linguistic Theory and Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. Professor Jing Wei combed the knowledge of various linguistic schools and applied linguistic knowledge to the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language. Professor Well also used specific teaching examples to help students deepen their understanding of the content of the lecture. In the subsequent questioning session, the students enthusiastically asked questions and interacted with Professor Jing Wei. For example, on the topic of difference between Chinese and English teaching, Professor Jing Wei proposed that the biggest difference between Chinese and English is that Chinese is a tonal language and emphasizes tune teaching and Chinese character teaching in teaching Chinese as a foreign language.
The theme of the second lecture on June 15th was Student-centered and Research-based Pedagogy for Chinese as Second Language. The content of the lecture is divided into two parts: one is how to carry out the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language from the perspective of learners, and the other is how to conduct teaching grammar research from the perspective of teachers. Professor Jing Wei pointed out that the purpose of language learning is to apply abstract language knowledge to the actual language application. This involves the pragmatic value of the language. For example, she said that many foreign students are confused about how to use the address terms when they arrive in China. When they meet a stranger, they don't know how to call each other. In the cultural curriculum, we taught students about Chinese food and traditional festivals, but did not teach them the most basic way of calling. Therefore, Professor Jing Wei emphasized that the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language should be student-centered, and teachers should consider the students' actual needs.
With regard to the teaching method of Chinese as a foreign language, Professor Jing Wei introduced the teaching methods that teachers can learn from and used in combination with examples, as well as some precautions in teaching. She cited a study on the interaction between teachers and students in the classroom. The results show that there are often more mistakes because of students’ interactions and their use of language does not have the accuracy and authority of that of the teachers. What’s more, students are apt to learn in interaction with teachers. Therefore, teachers should create opportunities to interact with students as much as possible through guidance, correction, and various class games.
Finally, she summarized the role that teachers should play in the student-centered approach to teaching Chinese as a foreign language: Assist learning, Provide input, Create interaction context, Scaffolding, Encouragement and corrective feedback. In the questioning session, students asked questions about how to create context in a non-target environment, and how to interact with introverted students. Professor Jing Wei cited the real teaching cases to answer the questions, so that the students have a deeper understanding of the lecture content.
The two lectures hosted by the School of Education provided valuable opportunities for teachers engaging in foreign language teaching and students studying Chinese as a foreign language to enrich their professional knowledge. The content of this lecture is not only applicable to the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language, but also has certain enlightenment and guiding significance for intercultural communication in the era of globalization, and reflects the concept of running a university with a global vision and international characteristics.