Learning Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) through Children's Picture Books

Anna Wing-bo Tso

《田家炳中華文化中心通訊》 1期 (2018/03) Pp. 18-21

摘要

While mechanical vocabulary and formal grammar drill are necessary for learning Chinese as a foreign language (CFL), it is crucial to first build a user-centred, meaning-based language learning schema for listening, speaking, reading and writing alike. In the article, the author first introduces her award-winning children's book series, a collection of six English picture books that bring together original stories and artistic illustrations recounting local collective memories of Hong Kong, which include the city's famous dishes and street snacks, its handover to China, its wildlife and domestic animals, as well as the Cantonese language. To foster nonnative Chinese speakers' (NNCS) intrinsic learning motivation, the author also shares ideas of how children's picture story books can be used as a stimulus to recall the memories and experiences of learners, developing their interest in CFL. Innovative approaches to teaching CFL through children's picture story books are discussed.

關鍵字

Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) ； non-native Chinese speakers (NNCS) ； children's book