Evaluation Of Teaching Chinese As A Foreign Language Textbooks For Children

The quality of textbook which is an indispensable element in teaching Chinese as a foreign language directly affects the teaching effect.The construction in textbook of Chinese as a foreign language for children is still lagging behind compare to that for adults.Based on previous researches,YCT syllabus and new HSK syllabus,an evaluation table is developed to evaluate children's textbook of Chinese as a foreign language.Liberate the Joy of Learning Chinese(for children),a relatively novel text,is selected.By means of text analysis and semi-structured interview,seven aspects are analyzed,namely format,units,phonetics,vocabulary,communicative tasks,topics and culture,in the hope of providing useful suggestions for the writing and use of future children's textbook of Chinese as a foreign language.The conclusion drawn in this study is as follows:(1)In terms of format,the textbook looks beautiful.There are a variety of relevant learning materials and abundant online teaching resources.Yet the lack of relevant extended-reading and recitative material is unconducive to students' after-class knowledge extension.(2)In terms of units,its total amount in the textbook is appropriate,which is evenly distributed in each volume;“????”is used in some units for knowledge extension;unit structure in each volume of the textbook is roughly the same,which allows students to get used to a fixed learning process;its content is diversified,and the types of text can be divided into conversational text and narrative text,involving a variety of topics.The content form in each unit,however,is not diversified enough.(3)From the perspective of phonetics,the whole set of textbooks are marked with Pinyin,excluding separate phonetic learning sections or practice.(4)In the aspect of vocabulary,the vocabulary in each lesson is well arranged,with little fluctuation in the amount and relatively even distribution;in spite of a fairly high words repetition rate,the textbook includes a quite large vocabulary;little vocabulary required by YCT syllabus or new HSK syllabus is included in the textbook;the vocabulary is overall difficult,and its difficulty level distribution has yet to be improved.(5)In terms of communicative tasks,the task content is closely related to pupils' daily life and study,which makes it highly practical;overall,the type of task is plentiful and abundant.Yet a few task types do not conform to the YCT task syllabus.(6)In the aspect of topics,the focus in the whole set of textbooks is “daily life” and “information expression” which are closely related to children's real life and study,thereby drawing their interest at learning Chinese;there are a variety of genres of texts.(7)As for the cultural aspect,the texts are all based on China.Communicative approaches and Chinese culture are the focal points in conversational texts.While in narrative texts,there are Chinese cultural common sense,traditional customs,ancient poetry,idioms,fables,myths,etc.Moreover,“????”is used to introduce various Chinese cultural knowledge,but the textbook doesn't include special Chinese cultural activities.The research conducted in this paper is expected to provide suggestions for the writing and use of future children's textbook of Chinese as a foreign language.For example,the format of the textbook should look exquisite,and it is necessary to develop rich relevant teaching materials;it is suggested that the textbook include appropriate number of units and diversified types of sections;Pinyin annotation and phonetic teaching are indispensable;attentions should be paid to the quantification of total vocabulary,its difficulty level distribution,as well as repetition rate;communicative tasks and topics ought to be close to children's life,and genre diversity of texts is important;it is also import to highlight the Chinese culture,and to attach equal importance to tradition and modern.