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The focus of this synthesis paper is on the Chinese language and culture that American and Canadian ESL teachers may experience while in China.
"There are more people learning to speak English in China than there are English speakers in the entire United States of America."(JourneyEast.org). Bearing this in mind, it is not absolutely necessary to learn the language before going to China to teach. In fact, schools often prefer that instruction be done entirely in English. But, if you are interested in learning a few phrases or more, there are a variety of avenues available.
There are free online sources to learn Chinese. Two helpful websites I found were sponsored through universities. First, Conversational Mandarin Chinese Online offers 15 units to learn Mandarin. Utilizing pinyin (the Romanization spelling of Chinese characters) and sound, this website provides a great introduction to the language by providing useful statements and questions that are common in everyday life. Next, Learn Chinese offers an opportunity to learn basic Chinese in such categories as dining, greeting, time and travel. It provides the English, Chinese character, pinyin and a sound bite for each phrase or word it lists.
There are online courses for pay, such as Modern Chinese Learning. Based on the China’s east coast, this virtual school offers interactive online Chinese language instruction. This one-on-one instruction is offered at a fee, and avails a free practice program. The focus of the four courses is on oral communication on the topics Practical Everyday Chinese and Business Chinese.
There are also Chinese language programs you can purchase. One example is Rosetta Stone. This Mandarin immersion language program is offered online or on CD-ROM, and provides a six-month money-back guarantee. This step-by-step instruction is done with no translation and offers the opportunity to check speech accuracy. The program offers 200 hours of instruction with 92 Chinese lessons.
Some schools provide the opportunity to take Chinese lessons where you teach. One example is through the Lotus Educational Foundation. This California based non-profit program offers an opportunity to learn Chinese and teach English in China. Language study is facilitated through an immersion program, or the Homestay program which offers an opportunity to stay in a host’s home, learn the language and experience the culture.
Finally, one other resource regarding language I found extremely useful is Min Multimedia. This website claims to be "your guide to all things Chinese: Language, Arts, History, People, Travel, Shopping…" This very useful site offers opportunities to learn Chinese free online. It also provides links to information on the culture, religions, people and more.
China is a country rich in culture. Food plays such an integral part of the culture that a common greeting is "have you eaten yet?" There are four major regional cuisines: Cantonese, Shangdong, Sichuan and Huaiyang. (GoAbroad.com) A typical meal consists of Tea (jasmine green tea or woo-long black tea), Appetizer (usually cold seasoned meat), Main dishes (as many as ten, usually four dishes plus one soup) and Dessert. (www.ebeijing.gov )
Footprints Recruiting Inc. offers a synopsis about
Chinese cuisine and culture:
The Chinese have particular table manners:
Food has symbolism throughout China.
There are a variety of cultural differences between China and the West.
There are five religions practiced in China: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism. China-Tesol.com and the online media outlet People Daily offer overviews of the characteristics of these religions in China.
Footprints Recruiting Inc
and China Window give detailed descriptions of the main holidays
and festivals celebrated in China.
The main holidays are:
| Date | Holiday |
| Dates vary | Chinese New Year |
| March 8 | International Women's Day |
| April 1 | Tree Planting Day |
| May 1 | International Labor Day |
| May 4 | Youth Day |
| June 1 | Children's Day |
| July 1 | Birthday of the CCP |
| August 1 | Army Day |
| September 1 | Teacher's Day |
| October 1 | National Day |
The main festivals are:
| 1st of the 1st lunar month | Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) |
| 15th of the 1st lunar month | Lantern Festival |
| 5th of the 5th lunar month | Duan Wu |
| 7th of the 7th lunar month | Seventh Eve |
| 15th of the 8th lunar month | Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival |
| 9th day of the 9th lunar month | Chongyang Festival |
In addition to the websites referenced above, several other websites offer valuable information on China, the culture and the language. For example, news media outlet China.org , boasts it is "The Official Site to China." The significant feature is the China in Brief section which contains an abundance of information about the country, including culture, people, education, lifestyle and more.
GoAbroad.com Travel Guides offers travel guides which provide key information on the culture and customs of the people, and helpful navigational suggestions for traveling in China. This is a "must-visit" website before traveling abroad.
Finally, I was very excited to find the Wikitravel China Travel Guide . This is an online encyclopedia providing a wealth of knowledge on China. Topics of particular interest include work, travel and culture including information on Chinese history, holidays and food.
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China.org
News media outlet boasts it’s "The official site to China." Significant feature is China in Brief
which features an abundance of information about the country, including culture, education, lifestyle and more.
China Daily
News media outlet. Ranks in China’s top eight news portals. It has three major sections: English Portal,
World Online (Chinese-language) and English Study. The English Portal has sections on Culture, Citylife,
Forums, the Olympics, Entertainment and Lifestyle. The English Study provides English language tips.
China Today
News media outlet providing articles on current events. This website provides links to various other top
news sites and to numerous travel websites throughout the country.
A Brief Introduction to China – "Guide
for Foreign Experts Working in China"
This "must-visit" website provides very detailed, useful information for the traveler and teacher alike.
Features include Chinese culture, embassies, emergency contacts, money matters, religion, shopping and travel.
China-Window.com. The Best Way to China
Gives extensive information about the country, travel, business and the economy. Most notable is the section on
Chinese culture which covers topics such as festivals, food & drink and folk customs.
Chinese Culture Net
Run by three sisters who are originally from Beijing and now live in San Francisco, California. Their goal is
to "introduce Chinese culture to the world." Of particular interest is their promotion of Chinese art,
music and literature.
Chinese-forums.com
Online forums with particular focus on the Chinese culture and language. Also includes a forum on studying,
working and living in China. Registration is required, but it free of charge.
Conversational Mandarin Chinese Online
15 units to learn Mandarin online for free. Utilizing pinyin (the Romanization spelling of Chinese characters)
and sound, this website provides a great introduction to the language by providing useful statements and questions
used in everyday life.
Learning Chinese Online
Numerous links to resources on how to learn Chinese online. Categories include characters, reading listening,
among several others. The author is Dr. Tianwei Xie from California State University at Long Beach Department
of Asian and Asian American Studies.
EBeijing.com
Based out of Beijing, this website gives extensive background on China including its history, culture and people.
Of particular interest is the wealth of information offered on Chinese cuisine.
The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China
Chinese Central Government’s official website. The site provides a China Factfile section which includes
information on the culture, economy, education, religion and transportation, among other topics. Highlight is
the Services section which includes information for non-residents on such topics as Visa requirements, working
and travel.
People’s Daily
News media outlet based out of Beijing. Claims to be the "most influential and authoritative newspaper in
China." The About China section provides information about the culture, history, population, economy, and
lifestyle, among several other topics. Highlight is the list of links to The State Council including the
Ministries and Commissions under the State Council.
SINA
With offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the U.S., this news media outlet provides
information on Chinese culture and lifestyle, and provides tips on travel.
GoAbroad.com Travel Guides
Study, intern and work opportunities abroad. The highlights are the travel guides which provide key information
on the culture and customs of the people, and necessary navigating suggestions for traveling in China. This is
a "must-visit" website before traveling abroad.
International House
Language school network. Country profile on the countries it operations it, including China. Topics
covered include history, culture, religion and lifestyle.
Lonely Planet World Guide
Online version of the Lonely Planet book series, this website offers detailed information about China.
Features include sections on culture and history, people and society, as well as a host of other topics.
Lotus Educational Foundation
California based non-profit program. Offers an opportunity to learn Chinese and teach English in China.
Language study is facilitated through an immersion program, or the Homestay program which offers an opportunity
to stay in a hosts’ home, learn the language and experience culture. Teaching opportunities are available
after enrolling in the immersion or Homestay programs.
Min Multimedia
"your guide to all things Chinese: Language, Arts, History, People, Travel, Shopping…" This very
useful website offers opportunities to learn Chinese free online. Also provides links to information on the
culture, religions, people and more.
Modern Chinese Learning
Based on the China’s east coast, this virtual school offers interactive online Chinese language instruction.
This one-on-one instruction is offered at a fee, and avails a free practice program. The focus of the four
courses is on oral communication covering the topics Practical Everyday Chinese and Business Chinese.
Pimsleur Approach
Language immersion program. Attests that you will learn to speak Mandarin in 10 days or they will refund your
money. Pimsleur Approach is “quick, fun and easy,” and introduces dialogue used in real-life situations in a
natural manner.
Public Chinese
Four courses covering poplar, business, traveling and basic Chinese with opportunities to study, practice
and chat in the language. Also features a section on culture including music and food.
Rosetta Stone
Mandarin immersion language program offered online or in CD-ROM and provides a six-month money-back guarantee.
This step-by-step instruction is done with no translation and offers the opportunity to check speech accuracy.
The program offers 200 hours of instruction with 92 Chinese lessons.
China Travel Guide
Online encyclopedia providing a wealth of knowledge on China. Topics of particular interest include work,
travel and culture including information on history, holidays and food.
Learn Chinese
This website, from Western Kentucky University, offers an opportunity to learn basic Chinese online for free.
It offers such categories as dining, greeting, time and travel. It provides the English, Chinese character,
Pinyin (Romanized spelling for Chinese sounds) and a sound bite for each phrase or word it lists.
Zhongwen.com
Information on Chinese language characters and culture. It provides a good introduction on how to read and
write the characters. The frequently asked questions section answers many questions regarding the history
and development of the characters.
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Information shown on this website is the result of a collaborative effort by Dr. Rod E. Case and the EDS491/691 Special Topics in Teaching English
as a Second Language Class, Wintermester, 2007. |
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