Teaching English to the Chinese - bridging the cultural gap
24th June 2002

The Language Services seminar for TEFL teachers takes place on Saturday 22 June in Dublin City University. It will examine the different teaching approaches in Chinese and western culture which can create difficulties in the classroom for Chinese students.

Over the last five years, the number of Chinese students who come to Ireland to either learn English or to enter third-level education has risen to over 30,000. The researchers for the seminar have identified bridging strategies which can help to alleviate the tensions for the students who need to move from their previous learning model to the 'communicative' method. This makes study in Ireland not only more successful but also more enjoyable. This is particularly important for some language institutes who may have up to 80% Chinese nationality students.

According to Dee Doyle, of DCU Language Services, "Class sizes of 70 are not uncommon in China. The teaching focuses on writing, grammar and reading skills, and learning is mainly by rote; this can make it difficult for students who have never had the opportunity to speak in class. This causes particular difficulties when it comes to foreign language learning, where speaking is considered, in the west, to be a vital aspect of language acquisition".

Ireland, on the other hand, takes a communicative approach; its students are encouraged to speak and engage in discussions and debates with their lecturers and fellow students. This can cause problems for the Chinese students, who are not accustomed to expressing opinions or disagreeing with their teachers. In addition, their culture of collectivity can sometimes cause a mismatch in the face of the European 'individualist' approach to teaching and learning.

One strategy that is being developed and investigated during the LS Seminar is to adapt classroom material to make it user-friendly for Chinese students and to help them to express themselves freely without 'losing face', or feeling embarrassed when they make a mistake. Using class materials which are not purely culture-based, such as television advertisements or soap operas, or western pop idols, is another strategy. This bridging system allows the students to adapt gradually to the Irish system.

"We want to learn from our Chinese students and adapt our teaching style to their needs in the initial period", said Dr Marie-Annick Gash, Managing Director of Language Services. The Director of Studies, Dee Doyle, agrees that the aim is to allow the Chinese to meet their goals and to try to remove some of the obstacles which prevent this.

ENDS

For further details contact:

Dee Doyle | 7008443 or consult www.dculs.dcu.ie