Hi y’all,

This was the end of my sixth (!) week in Beijing, and I can’t seem to believe that I’m going to be here for another five months. Alright, enough of that.

I want to keep talking about the classroom situation, because it’s pretty much my life over here at PiB. In the last post, I discussed a fair amount of problems that lie within the system that is currently being implemented at this language program. Right now I’m gonna try and give some examples of what I think would be much more effective ways of teaching this language. I’m going to try to be concise, but not too specific. Here goes…

Every day should begin with a teacher discussing the meaning of the words in the lesson, giving the definitions in Chinese, and making these explanations as simple as possible, using already-learned vocabulary. This way, in our minds, the words will be cemented into our heads as Chinese words, NOT Chinese translations of English words (which, by the way, are totally different–there are some words in Chinese that have the same English definition, but have absolutely no relationship when it comes to usage).

After this, two teachers will go in front of the class and use the words that we have just learned in conversation. By hearing the words being used in a context other than a textbook, we’ll be able to know in our heads when it is appropriate to use the newly-learned words. A problem at PiB (and I’m sure it’s similar at many other language programs) is that you’re expected to know how to use the word you learned last night perfectly despite the fact that you’ve never used it before, or heard it before, in your life, which is a problem. If there is real-life conversation, then it’s easier to assimilate the vocabulary because there is a link in your mind between the meaning of the word and its usage. This is extremely important in language acquisition. It goes without saying that grammar examples would be given in a similar fashion.

After this, students will be asked to provide sample sentences using the words. This could go on for a few minutes, or an hour, but the main point is that the teacher could correct the student if he or she makes a mistake, and then explain why the specific usage was wrong. Slowly but surely students will start to notice their mistakes and will stop making them.

We can then move onto the one-on-one sessions, where the student is engaged in conversation. This provides a way to practice everything that was just learned during the day, and everything before, in a very low-key and stress-free environment. Notice how the entire method is focused on focusing on the listening first and then the speaking ;).

Maybe I’m too idealistic. Maybe I’m a complainer. Maybe I’m just saying this because I still can’t speak Chinese that well. 哈哈.

Yours truly,

罗文瀚

p.s. new photos are up