Case Analysis of an Elementary-Level Integrated Chinese Language Class in the Context of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language

A Lesson based on “Is This Red Dress Pretty?”

Authors

  • Liran Shi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/9jpnbd11

Keywords:

International Chinese Language Education, Teaching Competence, Elementary Intergrated Chinese Course, Teaching Practce

Abstract

With the evolving concept of cultivating international Chinese language teachers, there has been a shift from an academic research-oriented model to a professionally practice-oriented approach. This transformation requires teachers to not only focus on instruction but also actively observe and analyze exemplary teaching cases, which is particularly valuable for novice Chinese language teachers entering the profession. This paper takes a teaching video of an elementary integrated Chinese class delivered by Professor Shen Hongdan of Beijing Language and Culture University as the research subject. Through classroom observation, the case is systematically analyzed in conjunction with theories of second language acquisition and instructional strategies, aiming to identify strengths and areas for improvement to enhance teaching effectiveness. The paper is structured into four main parts: the first part introduces the course background; the second part serves as the introduction; the third part provides a detailed narrative and analysis of the case, covering six aspects-classroom organization, review and assessment, vocabulary instruction, grammar teaching, text instruction, and homework assignment; the fourth part summarizes pedagogical insights and reflections. This study seeks to explore practical experience and teaching strategies through the observation and analysis of exemplary lessons, offering actionable ideas and methodologies for international Chinese teachers-especially beginners-to enhance their competence and professional development in integrated Chinese instruction.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Beijing Language and Culture University. (2025). Demonstration Class of Elementary Integrated Chinese by Shen Hongdan [Video]. Bilibili. https://b23.tv/1HujmEn [Accessed: June 24, 2025].

[2] The State Council of the People’s Republic of China. (2019). Fifteen Years of Confucius Institutes: Opportunities and Challenges Brought by the Global “Chinese Language Fever” [Online]. http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019-10/01/content_5436299.htm [Accessed: June 24, 2025].

[3] Wu, B. (2015). A brief discussion on language element instruction in elementary-level integrated Chinese classes. Education Teaching Forum, (30), 138–139.

[4] Zhao, J. M. (2020). Introduction to Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (Revised Edition). Beijing: The Commercial Press.

[5] Zhang, X. L. (2006). A Study on Individual Differences of Chinese Language Learners in Immersion Programs (Master’s thesis). East China Normal University, Shanghai.

[6] Bruner, J. S. (1961). The act of discovery. Harvard Educational Review, 31(1), 21–32.

[7] Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy and foreign language learning. Council of Europe.

[8] Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Pergamon Press.

[9] Tang, W. S. L. (1988). A Study of the Chinese Language Immersion Program in San Francisco: The First Two Years (Doctoral dissertation). University of the Pacific, Stockton.

[10] Nunan, D. (1988). The learner-centred curriculum. Cambridge University Press.

[11] Willis, J. (1996). A framework for task-based learning. Longman.

[12] Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Multilingual Matters.

[13] Ellis, R. (2003). Task-based language learning and teaching. Oxford University Press.

[14] Deardorff, D. K. (2006). Identification and assessment of intercultural competence as a student outcome of internationalization. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10(3), 241–266.

[15] Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

[16] Ellis, R. (2015). Understanding second language acquisition (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Downloads

Published

13 August 2025

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Shi, L. (2025). Case Analysis of an Elementary-Level Integrated Chinese Language Class in the Context of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language: A Lesson based on “Is This Red Dress Pretty?”. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 20(2), 193-197. https://doi.org/10.54097/9jpnbd11