Teacher Voices in Chinese Language Teaching: Personal Reflections on Culture

This book explores the perspectives of four Chinese language teachers in Australian secondary schools through semi-structured interviews and compares their reflections with written stimulus dialogues and curriculum and policy documents. It finds that teachers have diverse views on culture, language teaching, and the role of culture in language teaching, and argues that language teacher intercultural competence cannot be assessed solely through English-only research literature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 145 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the depths of an ethnographic study, primarily focusing on the remarkable experiences of four exceptional teachers of the Chinese language in Australian secondary schools. The author skillfully crafts an audience for these teachers' voices, allowing them to reflect upon their profound understandings of culture, language teaching, and the intricate interplay between culture and language teaching through semi-structured interviews. These introspective conversations are then juxtaposed with carefully designed written stimulus dialogues, aimed at eliciting thoughtful reflections on culture in language learning. Additionally, the book analyzes curriculum and policy documents produced by the Australian government, shedding light on the prevailing perspectives and guidelines governing language education in the country.

The findings of this comprehensive study are nothing short of enlightening. The author reveals that teachers of the Chinese language exhibit a remarkable diversity of views on culture, language teaching, and the role that culture can or should play in language instruction. This insightful analysis challenges the notion of a singular assessment of language teacher intercultural competence, advocating for a more holistic approach that encompasses a broader range of research literature and perspectives.

This book holds immense value for a wide range of stakeholders, including teachers and teacher trainers of Chinese as a foreign language, as well as students and scholars of applied linguistics and language education. It offers valuable insights, practical strategies, and thought-provoking discussions that will enhance the understanding and expertise of educators in this field. By exploring the complexities of culture, language teaching, and their interrelationship, this book provides a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge and enhance their teaching practices.

In conclusion, this book is a testament to the power of ethnographic research and its ability to shed light on the complex dynamics of language education. Through the captivating stories of these four teachers and their thoughtful reflections, it offers a profound understanding of the role of culture in language learning and provides valuable insights for educators and scholars alike. It is a must-read for anyone interested in advancing the field of language education and promoting cross-cultural understanding.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 152 x 218 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030892128
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022