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Advice for teachers -
Chinese Second Language

Teaching and learning activities

Unit 2

Unit 2 – Area of Study 1: Interpersonal communication

Theme: The Individual
Topic: Education and aspirations
Sub topic: School life

Outcome 1

Respond in writing in Chinese to spoken, written or visual texts presented in Chinese.

Examples of learning activities

  • Brainstorm the important aspects of school life such as homework, extra-curricular activities, tests/exams and weekend school/tutoring.
  • Watch a video/YouTube clip on schooling in China and note the key information in dot points.
  • Choose one of the aspects of school life and write a 100-character summary.
  • Read a blog about school life in China. Take notes and highlight the differences between Australia and China.
  • Listen to conversations between Chinese-speaking students discussing their study habits. Create a list of points and then write a short diary entry.
  • Read journal entries written by students in China about their school lives. Answer questions about their school days.
  • Interview a student in your class who has recently come to Australia from a Chinese-speaking country. Compare the answers to the blog.
  • View a series of illustrations that depict school life in Chinese-speaking countries and write captions for them in Chinese.
  • Explore the topic through listening, reading and viewing. Write an informative blog on Chinese school life in response to texts.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Explore the topic of school life through listening, reading and viewing. In pairs, develop a role play to interview each other about school life and co-curricular activities.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

A role-play about school life and co-curricular activities

  1. Listen to or view a series of the written, visual or spoken texts on the topic of school life.
  2. Answer some questions about the texts.
  3. Discuss the answers.
  4. Write down the key information and relevant vocabularies.
  5. Watch a video/YouTube clip on schooling and note down the key information in dot points.
  6. Choose an aspect of school life and co-curricular activities in China and write a 100-character summary.
  7. Read a blog about school life in countries where Chinese is spoken. Take notes and highlight the differences between Australia and countries where Chinese is spoken.
  8. Complete comprehension exercises based on the texts and draw on them to note useful vocabulary and grammar.
  9. Write a plan for the role play, paying attention to the requirements of the task and to the linguistic and stylistic aspects appropriate for the text type.
  10. Rehearse the role play and perform it to the class.

Unit 2 – Area of Study 2: Interpretive communication

Theme: The Chinese-speaking communitites
Topic: Living in a Chinese-speaking community
Sub topic: Chinese food

Outcome 2

Analyse and use information from written, spoken or visual texts to produce an extended written response in Chinese.

Examples of learning activities

  • View a selection of images of Chinese food/cuisine and discuss them.
  • Categorise the foods/cuisines logically into groups and justify the choice.
  • Discuss the main characteristics of Chinese food in general.
  • Research the different cuisines further to collect more information.
  • Watch an episode of a TV series/documentary on food and answer questions.
  • Discuss in class the answers and the cultural aspects reflected in the episode.
  • Read an article about different Chinese cuisines. Write down the key points.
  • Compare the information and write a summary.
  • Read a restaurant menu and then develop a role play in pairs based on a visit to this restaurant.
  • Listen to an interview between a food writer and a local chef and answer some questions.
  • In groups, discuss Chinese food culture and write dot points about the discussion.
  • Share the result of the discussion and prepare for a PowerPoint presentation.
  • Read a review of a new Chinese restaurant and answer questions.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Prepare an informative PowerPoint presentation supported by a series of images to explain aspects of Chinese food culture.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

Explain aspects of Chinese food culture in an informative PowerPoint presentation

  1. Watch a documentary about Chinese food.
  2. Read an article about different Chinese cuisines.
  3. Create a glossary of appropriate terms to support this topic.
  4. Identify cultural aspects/meanings in the resources.
  5. Research a range of famous Chinese cuisines and note down the differences. Take notes on
    the cultural aspects associated with food.
  6. Prepare a series of images for a PowerPoint presentation.
  7. Draft your text explaining each image chosen. Combine content, language and cultural information to make connections and comparisons.
  8. Research the elements required for the text type and choose grammar elements to best support the task.
  9. Present the PowerPoint presentation in class.

Unit 2 – Area of Study 3: Presentational communication

Theme: The world around us
Topic: The influence of science and technology
Sub topic: Innovations in science and technology

Outcome 3

Explain information, ideas and concepts orally in Chinese to a specific audience about an aspect of culture within communities where Chinese is spoken.

Examples of learning activities

  • View a video clip about some of the latest innovations in Chinese science and technology. Take notes on the cultural aspects of the innovations and identify areas for further investigation.
  • Search the internet for some images that reflect changes in science and technology and write a brief description for each image.
  • Choose two images that reflect a significant change and give a two-minute oral presentation about the change. Include reasons for your choice.
  • Listen to a recording or a podcast about the impacts of science and technology and answer questions in Chinese.
  • Complete questions after a listening and reading comprehension task and write answers in another text type. Discuss the answers in class.
  • Write a short summary on the topic studied so far. Consider the social benefits of scientific and technological innovations.
  • Participate in a group conversation, sharing information about the impact of science and technology on Chinese culture and society. Discuss the positives and negatives of the impact.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Write a 250-character evaluative review of a recent innovation in science and technology to be published in the school newsletter, commenting on the impact of this innovation on society and whether it improves life or not.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

A 250-character evaluative review of a recent innovation in science and technology.

  1. Explore the topic of recent innovations in science and technology.
  2. List vocabulary related to this topic from all material studied so far.
  3. Practise useful expressions and grammar for expressing opinions.
  4. View a video clip about the use of science and technology in Chinese-speaking communities. Take notes and identify any cultural aspects of the innovations.
  5. Search the internet for images that will initiate further discussion.
  6. Listen to a recording on the topic and answer some questions. Discuss the answers.
  7. Discuss the techniques for synthesising and analysing information.
  8. Research the elements required for the text type and choose grammar elements to best support the writing.
  9. Draft the review paying attention to the specific requirements of the task.
  10. Consider teacher feedback and revise the text before submitting for the school newsletter.