Advice for teachers -
Chinese Second Language

Unit 4 – Area of Study 1: Interpersonal communication

Theme: The Chinese-speaking communities
Topic: Arts and entertainment
Sub topic: Sport

Outcome 1

Share information, ideas and opinions in a spoken exchange in Chinese.

Examples of learning activities

• Watch a documentary about popular sports in countries and regions where Chinese is spoken. Note how these sports have developed and how popular these sports are among Chinese-speaking communities.
• Listen to a discussion about sports in communities where Chinese is spoken. Note key information about major sports in terms of number of people involved.
• Prepare a poster to highlight the major features of a chosen sporting activity.
• View a series of images depicting people playing sport and discuss them.
• Read an article about a sporting activity that is popular in a Chinese-speaking community. Note down the key information.
• Watch a documentary about the history of a well-known Chinese sporting activity. Fill in a table with key information such as who plays it, its most famous players and its major tournaments.
• In pairs/groups, conduct research to explore a chosen sporting activity in further detail. Record the findings in dot points.
• Listen to a discussion about a chosen sporting activity that is popular among Chinese speakers and answer some questions both orally and in writing.
• Prepare a poster or a three- to four- minute PowerPoint presentation. Deliver it to the class, highlighting the history and characteristics of a particular type of sport.
• Write down five questions for another student based on their presentation and practise an interview with them, one to one.
• View a video featuring a famous Chinese-speaking sportsperson talking about the journey to playing elite sport. Take notes about their career highlights.
• Write a 250-character diary entry reflecting on a sporting experience.
• 
  Write a 250-character email to a friend to invite them to join you in trying out a sport that is popular in a Chinese-speaking community.

 

Detailed example

Write a 250-character email to a friend to invite them to join you in trying out a sport

1. Watch a video about sport in countries where Chinese is spoken and note the development and popularity of these sports.
2. List the vocabulary and expressions related to sports.
3. Read an article about sport in a Chinese-speaking community and write a summary of 100- characters of the key information
4. Discuss different sports with a visual stimulus such as photographs, cartoons and other images.
5. In groups, select a particular sport that is popular in a Chinese-speaking community. Explore it further online.
6. Present the findings of the research and share your ideas.
7. Discuss the characteristics of personal writing and look at some samples.
8. Draft the email paying attention to the audience specified and ensuring that relevant and engaging vocabulary and grammar are included appropriately.

Unit 4 – Area of Study 2: Interpretive communication

Theme: The individual
Topic: Education and aspirations
Sub topic: Study routines

Outcome 2

Interpret information from texts and write responses in Chinese.

Examples of learning activities

• As a class, brainstorm effective study methods and write them down.
• Watch a YouTube clip about study and routine. Answer some questions.
• Discuss in groups the importance of a good study routine and note down the key information.
• Read an article about effective study habits and their importance. Write down the key points.
• Listen to a recording of some interviews with students, parents and teachers talking about study. Fill in a table with key information on each group’s views.
• Write a 150-character summary on effective study methods.
• View a series of photographs or illustrations depicting study habits. Discuss them in pairs and then write an accompanying caption for each one.
• Read a diary entry written by a student experiencing some interruptions to their study routine. Answer a series of comprehension questions.
• Give a two-minute speech to the class about your best tips and tricks for study success.
• 
  Consolidate learning on the topic into a role play where students discuss ways of establishing effective study habits.

 

Detailed example

Consolidate learning into a role play where students discuss ways of establishing effective study habits

1. Read, view and listen to texts about the importance of routine in study habits.
2. Watch a YouTube clip about study habits and answer questions.
3. Read an article about study habits/routines and respond by reflecting on this according to your own experience.
4. Listen to interviews about effective study habits/routines and fill in a table with key information.
5. Write a 150-character summary on effective study methods.
6. Discuss challenges and the implications on study habits by analysing a series of images or photographs.
7. Listen to a recording of a discussion where students swap strategies for study success.
8. Review the range of question forms heard, and note their particular vocabulary and grammatical features to use in the role play. Note the linguistic and culturally appropriate ways the speakers relate to each other.
9. With a classmate, practise using some of these expressions and ways of delivering a message.
10. Write a script to incorporate things learned so far.
11. Practise the role play with the partner to hone pronunciation and delivery, and to ensure ideas are conveyed clearly.
12. Perform the role play to the class.

Unit 4 – Area of Study 3: Presentational communication

Theme: The world around us
Topic: Global and contemporary society
Sub topic: Migration

Outcome 3

Present information, concepts and ideas in evaluative or persuasive writing on an issue in Chinese.

Examples of learning activities

• Discuss in groups Chinese speakers’ migration to Australia.
• Research statistics about migration from China to other countries around the world. Record the important data in a table.
  
• Compare the migration patterns and consider the questions: From which places do Chinese speaking migrants come? Why do people migrate?
• View a video about migrants to countries where Chinese is spoken. Take notes and identify issues for further investigation.
• Read an article about life as a Chinese-speaking migrant in Australia. Answer questions about the article.
• Listen to Chinese-speaking migrants talking about their lives before migration and their experience of living in Australia.
• Participate in a class discussion about general features of the migrant experience.
• Visit a museum to view, research the history and experience of early Chinese migration to Australia.
• 
  Prepare a 300 character informative report about aspects of the Chinese migrant experience in Australia as researched.
• Write a 250-character blog post about reactions to information gathered about migration.
• Interview two Chinese-speaking people who have migrated to Australia and gather their opinions.
• Develop a role play with another student to explore reasons for leaving a homeland and going to Australia or another country where Chinese is spoken.
• Conduct research to find out whether there are certain towns/cities that have more Chinese immigrants than others. Find and discuss reasons why that might be so.
• Write a 300-character evaluative piece about the advantages and disadvantages migration for Chinese speakers. Or participate in a class debate on the same topic.

 

Detailed example

A 300 character informative report about aspects of the Chinese migrant experience in Australia

1. List vocabulary and expressions related to this topic from all material studied so far.
2. Practice useful expressions and grammar in Chinese.
3. Research statistics about migration to Australia and countries where Chinese is spoken. Compare the data and share the findings/analysis with the class.
4. Listen, read and view texts about migration and complete comprehension exercises.
5. In a class discussion, comment on comprehension exercises completed. Analyse the texts, questions and required answers for general clues and/or specific ideas for how to study for comprehension tests.
6. Conduct research on the migrant experience by visiting a museum, interviewing local Chinese immigrants and reading relevant blogs.
7. Draft an informative report on the research or findings on a Chinese speaking migrant’s experience. Incorporate relevant content appropriately. Ensure that vocabulary and grammar is used accurately.