Learning to Read, Reading to Learn: Teaching Culture with Language

Grace Wu

University of Pennsylvania, Senior Lecturer

论文摘要Paper AbstractThis presentation emphasizes the importance of designing reading materials in the beginning and intermediate heritage student classrooms in the college level. The typical cultural contents presented in a language class are things one can observe on the surface, such as Chinese festivals, folk songs and food. This information provides a context for the target culture to come to life. However, this approach posts a potential challenge when the students possess prior knowledge of the target culture. Therefore, when teaching these students, a fresh perspective is more effective and stimulating than familiar facts. The presenter will demonstrate how the course materials have helped students to not only acquire literacy, but also acknowledge and appreciate their unique position as an individual living simultaneously among two different cultures. Confucianism, filial duty, feudal society, imperial examination, Chinese movie and pop music…etc. will be introduced in the reading material to stimulate discussion about intricate cultural implications. Students have to learn vocabulary, discover questions, and evaluate evidence both individually and in group discussions to form judgments based on synthesis. Finally, students’ surveys, essays, discussions, and assessments will be shared.

 发言人简介Presenter's BioSenior Lecturer in Foreign Language in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Chinese literacy and Chinese character teaching. Currently, Grace is the Chinese Reading and Writing Course coordinator (CHIN 031, CHIN 032, CHIN 231, CHIN 232) at the Penn Chinese Language Program. Her Chinese Biographies series have been selected as the SAS best grant project of 2012. Grace Wu has been teaching CHIN 081-980 Online Beginning Business Chinese I since 2012 and CHIN 082-981 Online Beginning Business Chinese II since 2014.