Learning Chinese with Signs (English and Chinese Edition)

"Learning Chinese with Signs" provides supplementary material for learner at Beginning to Intermediate Levels. It can be used for both native speakers of English, and those who can use English as an intermediary language. Since different schools in different places have varying requirements or the number of hours spent in class and varying language objectives, we have included task-based activities of various levels to provide maximum flexibility to teachers. We have also added English translations for convenience. It is not necessary to use all the activities in this book. Teachers should choose those activities which are appropriate according to the needs of their students. This textbook was written according to the core concepts presented in "The Standards for Foreign Language Education in the 21st Century" by the American Council on the teaching of Foreign Languages. Included here are"The 5Cs": Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparison and Communities; and the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive and persentational. Please refer to the table in Appendix I that shows how the textbook content corresponds to the 5Cs. It is hoped that the signs presented in this book will allow students to understand Chinese life and culture, simulate real-life problems they may encounter, as well as stimulate them to communicate in order to find solutions to such problums. AS previously stated, this book is not intended as primary textbook; rather it is suitable as a supplement to whatever main textbook the teacher choose. As such, we have done a comparison of topics that appear in several frequently used textbooks in Appendix II of this book to aid teachers in helping students extend, connect and apply their acquired knowledge to daily life. Focus is placed on the practical functions of language. The contents are diverse and include both graphics as well as text. Learners are exposed to authentic and common written Chinese in the goal of broadening their horizons. The signs and posters in this book have been selected from a collection of over two thousand photographs and are commonly seen in Chinese society. Readers may see these signs in mainland China, Taiwan and Chinatowns worldwide. Each topic presented is accompanied by various forms of interesting exercises that allow learners to compare cultures, express their views and devenlop problem-solving skills. The textbook consists of 24 lessons in total: 22 regular lessons and 2 for review. Themes were chosen by referencing secondary school and college textbooks that are currently widespread in the United states, including"Intergrated Chinese" ; "Huanying" "Chinese Link" ; "New Practical Chinese Reader"; "Chinese for Youth" ; "NI Hao";, "Chinese Made Easy"; etc. Topics include Introduction, Numbers, Dates, Time, Hobbies, Entertainment, Sports, Drinks, Foods, and Shopping, as well as school, Library, Medical Care, Parking, Transpotation, Safety, Travel and Airport. In addition to review lessons, each unit features "Essential Signs"; " Supplementary Materials"; "Vocabulary"; and "Assigned Tasks"; with a total of eight to ten pictures in each unit. " Assigned Tasks"; include "Basic Tasks"; and "Advanced Tasks"; for learners of different levels. Both traditional and simplified character are given Multimedia PowerPoint website is included to anhance the overall learning effect.