Innovative practices of teaching classical Chinese vocabulary: From etymology to semantic system

Innovative practices of teaching classical Chinese vocabulary: From etymology to semantic system

Learning and teaching Chinese as a first language: International perspectives

• Law, Yin Ling The Education University of Hong Kong
• Tang, Pui Ling The University of Hong Kong

• Lam, Sin Manw Sophia The Education University of Hong Kong
• Lee, Chi Kin John The Education University of Hong Kong
• Si, Chung Mou The Education University of Hong Kong

Abingdon, Oxon

Routledge

2024

• G Curriculum, Teaching & Learning: Specific Disciplines
  • GA Chinese Language
    • GAD Teaching Methods of Reading Comprehension & Their Outcomes, Vocabulary Teaching

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Primary Education
• Secondary Education

The study examines the teaching of Chinese characters in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools. Currently, the “learn character through reading text” approach is widely used, but it lacks an explanation of the connection between form, meaning, and sound. This study aims to provide a systematic understanding of word form and meaning through an etymological approach – Systematic Chinese Etymon Acquisition (SCEA). The system helps students understand Classical Chinese and recognize the different meanings of the same character in various texts. The study involved 114 Year 10 students from a local secondary school in Hong Kong. Learning materials aligned with the school's Chinese language curriculum were used for one month. Pre-and post-tests were conducted to assess the students' knowledge of Classical Chinese vocabulary, and questionnaires were administered to gather feedback on the SCEA approach. The data were analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed that the participants' knowledge of etymology improved significantly. They demonstrated a stronger understanding of the meaning and extended meaning of Chinese characters, as well as an increased awareness of Chinese culture. Based on these results, pedagogical implications for teaching Chinese characters will be proposed. Copyright © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Sin Manw Sophia Lam, John Chi-Kin Lee and Chung Mou Si; individual chapters, the contributors.

• English

Book Chapters

• 9781032531267
• 9781032531311

• 10.4324/9781003410454-12

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/bibs/35fc202d

2024-12-06