Teaching Chinese through Song

Hong Zhang

Binghamton University / State University of New York

Description:

This workshop will introduce the groundbreaking approach of teaching Chinese through song. Participants will go through a step-by-step learning progression to obtain the basics of vocal techniques. They will walk away with the confidence and skills to improve their students’ pronunciation, diction, voice projection and language expression through singing.

Content:

As a sung language, a good song synthesizes the linguistic, poetic and musical beauty of speech,serving as a valuable tool for the improvement ofa student’s spoken language skills. The success of this approach has been demonstrated in the course “Chinese through Song” at Binghamton University, as well asin the textbook of the same title (Global Academic Publications, 2001, State University of New York Press, 2011). Thisinnovative approach will be introduced to the workshop participants. They will learn basic singing techniques, including posture, breathing, voice projection, and singing expression. In addition, they will be trained to teach singing and conduct a chorus. Each participant will also receive a packet of selected songs that are suitable for this purpose. Through the workshop, the audience will be furnished with the necessary knowledge and skills to apply this new approach. They will feel confident aboutteaching their students to sing Chinese songs both as linguistic acquisition and cultural activities.

Methods:

This workshop will be highly engaging and interactive. After a PowerPoint presentation of this innovative approach, participants will stand up and start to warm up their voices. Their roles will shift from choral singers, to soloists, to chorus conductors, and finally, returning to language teachersfurnished with new approach and strategy. The instructorwill demonstrate singing and conducting at the podium, but will mainly walk around to function as the "guide on the side," rather than as a "sage on the stage."  This method will help the instructor create an environment in which the learner will be actively involved. It is also readily adaptable by the participants for use in their schools and colleges.In addition, the participants and the instructor will form a network of teachers teaching Chinese through song, allowing anyone to seek help and cooperation in the future.

Outline:

This workshop will be composed of six parts: 1. A PowerPoint presentation introducing the approach of teaching Chinese through song, with pictures and video clips demonstrating the practices at Binghamton University, including classes, rehearsals, and recitals. 2. Basic singing techniques, including posture, breathing, voice projection, singing expression, and music terminology. 3. Two sample songs with music, lyrics, vocabulary lists, cultural background information, and teaching notes. 4. The basics of coaching singing and conducting a chorus, including conducting gestures, empowering students’ vocal potential, conducting with feeling, and encouraging communications. 5. A master class for three volunteers to sing songs in front of the class. The instructor will analyze and respond to the sound they produce. 6. A class recital with a chorus and solos, providing an opportunity for the participants to show their achievements from this workshop. These six parts will guide the participants through a step-by-step learning progression, from “singing along” to “singing alone,” and furnish language educators with the basic skills of vocal coaches and chorus directors. The workshop usually takes two hours, but can be shorter or longer depending on available time.

Audience:

All conference participants (I gave a workshop for the Second International Conference on Chinese Language Pedagogy at York University in Canada this past summer. The workshop was given at the plenary session and was extremely well received by all participants).

Outcome:

The participants will be able to create a course of Chinese through Song, form a Chinese chorus, or teach students a few songs as cultural activities. Their students will improve pronunciation, diction, voice projection, and language expression by singing Chinese songs, and enhance their interests in Chinese music and culture.

Reference:

Dr. Meiru Liu, Portland State University, Lium@pdx.edu

Dr. XueqingXu, York University,xueqingx@yorku.ca

Dr. Eric Yang, University at Buffalo, SUNY, wenzhong@buffalo.edu

Dr. LiuxiMeng, Kennesaw State University,lmeng@kennesaw.edu