Teaching and Learning Chinese as a Second or Foreign Language: Emerging Trends

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Teaching and Learning Chinese as a Second or Foreign Language, edited by Ko-Yin Sung, addresses one of the three emerging themes in the field of Chinese language teaching and learning. (1) Increasingly ubiquitous in all language learning and teaching and for the learning of Chinese as a second language in particular, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can serve as an important and effective tool. Several chapters focus on how certain emerging ICT tools are applied in teaching and learning Chinese as a second language. (2) Due to Chinas economic and political influence, the number of students of all ages studying Chinese as a second languagebut especially young learnershas increased in many parts of the world. Despite this, the research into teaching Chinese to young learners has lagged behind. Several chapters investigate young learners motivations and effective methods for assisting them to master the Chinese language. (3) The writing system of the Chinese language poses many challenges for learners, especially those more familiar with alphabetical languages. In light of this difficulty learners experience in learning Chinese characters, some of the chapters identify effective teaching and learning strategies to master the Chinese language. View the table and figures.

Reviews

In building on the foundation of empirical research on Chinese as a second language (CSL) already produced over the past three decades, Professor Sung and her fellow authors are to be commended for both highlighting what has already been established and what yet needs to be explored. In particular, the articles that focus on Chinese language learning at the pre-collegiate level serve to begin to fill where there remains significant gaps in our knowledge - gaps that must be filled to effectively and efficiently develop CSL competency throughout the world.

--Scott McGinnis, Defense Language Institute

Author Bio

Ko-Yin Sung is associate professor of Chinese at Utah State University and coordinator of the Chinese language program.