Adopting Authentic Materials to Chinese Instruction Chinese Language Summer Immersion Academy at China Institute Ms. Elisa L. Liang Dr. Hsin-Mei Agnes Hsu Ms. Peng Zeng Network for Program Excellence Post-summer Meeting October 18, 2008 2008 Chinese Language Summer Immersion Academy at China Institute 6-week Chinese immersion summer program for 23 high school students in New York and New Jersey with little prior knowledge of Chinese or China Overarching theme --- Global Citizens in the 21 st Century: Beijing and Beyond. A close integration of Chinese culture and Chinese language teaching What are Authentic Materials? Nunan (1999) defines authentic materials as spoken or written language data that have been produced in the course of genuine communication, not specifically for the purposes of language teaching. Any language related data exist in real-world contexts outside of the classroom (EFL/ESL classrooms) Authentic Listening-Viewing Materials Authentic Visual Materials Authentic Printed Materials Realia (Real world objects) How did we use authentic materials? (contd) Platform: Real-world task-based methodology that integrates language immersion and relevant cultural activities Three steps of adopting authentic materials : Step one: Introduction of Authentic Materials Class demonstration of Chinese seals and their usage Class demonstration of Chinese picture Class demonstration of books to students moon cakes to students How did we use authentic materials? (contd) Step two: Immersion of Authentic Materials Student orders food at Taipan bakery Students shop in Chinatown How did we use authentic materials? Step three: Interpretation and Application of Authentic Materials Students Chinese water-color painting and calligraphy Student creates her signature chop Students create kites symbolizing Beijing Olympics