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 Bio:Shaz 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.