HOW TO EMBED CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING INTO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

Shaz Lawrence李莎荣

 Creative Chinese    Teacher Trainer

论文摘要Paper Abstract In the Chinese language classroom it is important that students are given skills for the 21st century. These essential skills put students in the important role of problem solvers and critical thinkers. They become actively and constructively engaged in the process of learning the Chinese language.

Pedagogical theorists like Chamot, Tarvin & Al-Arishi, Chapple & Curtis, emphasize the fact that critical thinking promotes language learning and advances the crucial skills needed to be effective language learners.

Blooms Taxonomy is known as a useful tool that Chinese language teachers can use to embed into any Chinese language curriculum so students are encouraged to move toward higher order thinking skills of applying, analyzing and creating.

A student-centered classroom where language learners think critically by asking appropriate questions, gathering relevant information, sorting through this information, and then analyzing their own progress, not only empowers the learner but has a significant impact on the quality of language skills developed.

发言人简介Presenter's BioShaz Lawrence has over 20 years of experience teaching Chinese in Primary, and Secondary School grade levels.She has been instrumental in the start up of many new language programs in Australia, and the USA.Shaz has a Bachelor of Education, an Advanced Degree in Language Acquisition, and has studied Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan and China. Shaz currently teaches Chinese to K-8 students in New York City, and is also a teacher-trainer for teachers in New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, China, Edinburgh, London, and Cardiff.