Strategies for Teaching
Early Chinese Language
Learners
Shuhan C. Wang ( 王周淑涵 ), Ph.D.
Asia Society
Carol Ann Dahlberg ( 杜凯若安 ), Ph.D.
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota

Overview
Essential Elements of Curriculum
Special Considerations for Teaching
Chinese in K-6
•
Oral Language and Literacy
•
Ten Principles

Lessons from Experience
Working with 飞向中文 :
Kindergarten-6
Standards-based
Content-related
Thematically Designed
Language learning system

Essential Elements for
Building Curriculum
飞
飞

Thematic Planning
Essential Elements:
Essential Elements:
飞
飞
向
向
中文
中文 is guided by…

makes instruction more
understandable to learners
because the theme creates
a meaningful context.
Thematic Planning

provides a rich context for
standards-based learning
Thematic Planning

is student-centered. It involves
students in real language use, in
a variety of situations, modes,
and text types.
Thematic Planning

links language instruction to

Appeals to emotions
Personally meaningful
Sparks the imagination
Satisfying conclusion
Clear BEGINNING
MIDDLE
and END

Each book is a story…

Each lesson is a story…

Each page is a story…

Each activity is a story…

Understanding by Design
Essential Elements:
Essential Elements:
飞
飞
向
向
中文
中文 is guided by…

Stages in the Backward Design Process
Identify
desired
results