Abstract
This study introduces an innovative instructional strategy in a newly designed first level online Chinese course. It describes 1) why and how to write little verses with a metrical rhythm, usually having a rhyme, by integrating grammar patterns with the key words of each dialogue of a new text; 2) how to utilize this instructional strategy to facilitate the teaching and learning of Chinese pronunciation and intonation, grammar and the oral and written discourse development; And 3) how students feel about the use of little verses in teaching and learning. With students’ feedback, discussion will be concerned with its theoretical and pedagogical implications. This paper suggests that writing little verses for the first level Chinese courses should be a very interesting and inspiring way to help beginners to learn. It makes the language sound overly simplistic, which helps students exercise his/her mouth and improve pronunciation and intonation. Reading aloud little verses help students absorb new vocabulary and the grammar patterns. Encouraging students to memorize the funning little verses help them apply the newly learned vocabulary and grammar to make sentences and develop short paragraphs. This instructional strategy helps create more fun and spirit-lifting online learning environment for the beginners who have just started their journey into learning the different and difficult Chinese language during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presenters
Ling WangDirector of Chinese Language Instruction , Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies , University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2021 Special Focus - Transcending Social Distance: Emerging Practices in e-Learning
KEYWORDS
REMOTE LEARNING MODALITY, STUDENTS' ATTENTION DISTRACTION, LITTLE VERSES WRITING
