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- Methods
for Modern foreign language neglect
the influence of migration as a structural global process. An
invitation to think about a new approach.
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- At the ABC in Amsterdam we
are working on a new language method for Chinese in secondary
education. Chinese is made for the ‘studiehuis’, a new approach
to learning at upper secondary level, which emphasises independent
study. Together with Turkish, Moroccan Arabic, Hindi and Papiamentu,
Chinese has been chosen as one of the so-called New school languages
(nieuwe schooltalen). Next to modern European languages as English,
French, German, Spanish, Italian, Modern Greek and the two classic
languages (Latin and Greek) these will be part of the new secondary
education in our country.
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- After a small research in
Australia, Hong Kong, the United States of America, the United
Kingdom and Italy, we found out that all Chinese language methods
refer to China. Sometimes the local Chinese community and the
national situation played part in this approach. This is almost
typical for modern language learning, dealing only with the country
of origin and neglecting the reality of migration and development.
Also neglecting the process of change, integration and fusion. We
think that this is a mistake and missing a chance to connect with
today’s reality.
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- Therefore, in our new
communicative method Yuwentong
we will focus on Chinese communities everywhere. Each thematic unit
(5 per year) consists of three lessons. Each of these lessons will
deal with aspects of life in China, Europe or Chinese communities in
other parts of the world.
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- An illustration:
- Unit
4 Generation 6000 (referring
to the long history of China)
- Lesson
10
about identity
CHINA
Macau
- Lesson 11
about love
WORLD
Toronto
- Lesson 12
about addiction
EUROPE
Berlin
- In this way students
hear from a youngster in Macao dealing with his place in a changing
society, a loving couple in Toronto, and three schoolboys battling
their drinking and smoking habits in Berlin. This could bring a new
perspective to learning foreign languages.
- Students will realise
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that Chinese are everywhere
as is their culture and language;
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that Chinese language and
culture develops within a local context;
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that migration is not a
deviation but a structural global process;
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that their lives could be
different in another place;
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that they are part of a pan
Chinese culture with a unique local blend;
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that they can add to the
global wealth of cultural diversity and flexibility;
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that students everywhere
have something in common.
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- We welcome all suggestions
on this subject.
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