NCLS Course Description

英语学讲中国文化 (Chinese Culture and Public Speaking)

What is Chinese Culture? Does it mean Chinese food, lion dance and Lunar New Year? While all these are certainly well known and celebrated in the US, the real Chinese culture shines through ancient philosophy, history and wisdom passed down from generations past.

This class is taught in English, and it aims to fuse Chinese culture learning and public speaking training. The class utilizes the Harkness Table Method, and each student is encouraged in participating discussions in a constructive manner. In addition, students are expected to deliver PowerPoint presentations and engage in classroom debates on topics regarding Chinese history, language and arts. 什么是中国文化?仅仅是中餐,舞狮和春节吗?美国大众的认识基本停留在这个水平。第二第三代华人移民即使有中文基础,对中国历史文化的了解也往往一知半解。

Student requirements: 5th grade minimum, having the ability to perform basic online research, compose Microsoft PowerPoint (or equivalent) documents, and speak publicly in a classroom setting. Class structure: assignment – research – discussion – presentation – debate. The instructor will assign topic of discussion in advance of each class. Students will research independently or in groups, and then discuss and present their research in the class.

我从在美国二十多年的经历中体会到:从日常生活到职场,自己越是能把中国文化融会贯通,说清楚,越能受到尊重和认同。华人二代在美国的认同感危机很大程度上缘于比起父母来,缺少中国文化的底气。这门课通过教师引导讨论(Harkness Table Style), 演讲,辩论的方式来加强对中国文化的理解和阐述的能力。课堂鼓励学生用英文为主,中文为辅,从而达到文化,语言和演讲能力齐头并进的目的。更希望激发学生对中国文化的兴趣,以便和中文学习达到相辅相成的效果。

学生要求:五年级或以上,有做简单的搜索,Powerpoint, 和演讲的能力。

课程结构:课题-研究-讨论-演讲-辩论。教师每节课前宣布专题,学生通过独立或小组方式对每个专题研究,上课时以圆桌讨论,Powerpoint演讲,和集体辩论形式展开

专题(仅供参考):

我中文姓的来源,历史和一个名人的介绍

三十六计(选一个)

一个成语后面的故事

古代的一个英雄

诙谐的谚语(选三个)

一件有名的文物

蔡志忠的一个漫画

一个朝代的故事

中国的一个哲学家