Teaching a Modern Foreign Teaching a Modern Foreign Language to Chinese Language to Chinese

Students as an Elective Students as an Elective OptionOption

THE CONTEXTTHE CONTEXT

Institution Wide Language ProgrammesInstitution Wide Language Programmes

Premium in China for MFL beyond EnglishPremium in China for MFL beyond English

PMI II 100,000 extra international studentsPMI II 100,000 extra international students

2003-20042003-2004 2004-20052004-2005

Chinese Chinese StudentsStudents

47,74047,740 52,67552,675

(10.3% up.)(10.3% up.)

OUR ASSUMPTIONSOUR ASSUMPTIONS

Chinese students are experienced Chinese students are experienced language learnerslanguage learners

And will be hardworkingAnd will be hardworking

THEIR ASSUMPTIONSTHEIR ASSUMPTIONS Language learning teacher centred Language learning teacher centred

based on written workbased on written work

Rote learningRote learning

5/6 hours per week of language 5/6 hours per week of language teachingteaching

The next foreign language will be fairly The next foreign language will be fairly accessible.accessible.

WHAT HAPPENS?WHAT HAPPENS? Intricacies explained in English at the startIntricacies explained in English at the start

Self managed learningSelf managed learning

Group work interaction problemsGroup work interaction problems

Speaking: pronunciationSpeaking: pronunciation

Language structure factorsLanguage structure factors

WHAT CAN WE DO?WHAT CAN WE DO?

Provide what they expect Provide what they expect But that’s not how the IWLP operatesBut that’s not how the IWLP operates

Run all-Chinese classes?Run all-Chinese classes?

Pair Chinese with host students?Pair Chinese with host students?

Limit entry onto the programmeLimit entry onto the programme

Other?Other?