Shanghai Chinese Language School: What qualities do Chinese teachers need to have?

1. The level of Putonghua should pass

The so-called "pass" means that according to the National Office for the Promotion of Chinese as a Foreign Language (Hanban for short), the level of Chinese as a foreign language teaching ability should reach Grade 2B or above. The teaching of Chinese as a foreign language is in Mandarin, not a dialect, and not a dialect-flavored Mandarin. If you want to teach Putonghua, no doubt the more standardized your own Putonghua is, the better, and it is better to reach Grade 1B. When you have reached Grade 1B or Grade A, it means that your Mandarin is basically free of defects in all aspects of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and expression.

2. Knowledge of Chinese language

Not everyone who speaks Mandarin can teach Chinese as a foreign language. The target of teaching Chinese as a second language is mainly people who do not take Chinese as their mother tongue. Due to the combined influence of time, conditions, environment, mother tongue and learning motivation, they will definitely look for the language laws in the process of learning, rather than rely on learning by ear as children learn their mother tongue. Therefore, Chinese teachers should be able to explain the basic laws of Chinese phonetics, vocabulary and grammar. For example, foreign students often say, "I didn't come to class yesterday, I don't know what kind of homework was given". Chinese speakers know that the word "不" in this sentence should be replaced by "没". Some teachers explain that "for the past, use 'no', and for the future, use 'didn't'".

But "I wasn't at home yesterday" and "I wasn't at home yesterday" can both be said, and it's the same yesterday, so why are "no" and "didn't" generic again? Why are "no" and "didn't" generic? Some people cannot explain this, so they say, "This is the custom of the Chinese language." If this is the custom of the Chinese language, will there not be no pattern in the Chinese language? Then how can students learn? In fact, there is an explanation for this problem in Chinese grammar. At this time, if you have the corresponding grammatical knowledge, know what is the difference between "了" after the verb and "了" used at the end of the sentence, and what dynamic meaning is expressed by "过", the explanation will be much easier and more scientific. It will be much easier and more scientific to explain. For example, if a student can't pronounce the hanyu pinyin "r", some teachers will let him read it over and over again, but after half a day, he still can't learn it, so the teacher can't do anything about it.

This is because of the lack of phonological knowledge, which can be solved by a simple tongue diagram, plus appropriate explanations and demonstrations by the teacher. So a teacher of Chinese as a foreign language should take the initiative to learn and master the knowledge of Chinese.

3. Master the necessary knowledge and skills of Chinese culture

Language and culture are inseparable. Learning Chinese language and culture are inextricably linked. Teachers are bound to come into contact with Chinese culture, and it is very necessary for them to have a comprehensive knowledge of Chinese culture. For example, some people can't even memorize the order of Chinese dynasties, so it's easy to make mistakes. If you can master certain cultural skills, it will be like a tiger to carry out Chinese language teaching. Since I have been fond of traditional Chinese culture for many years, I have carried out a lot of activities at Durham University in the UK and Dublin University in Ireland, such as teaching tai chi, calligraphy, writing spring couplets, singing Peking Opera, cooking Chinese food, making dumplings, and so on, which are not only loved by the students, but also have a certain impact on the society. Through these cultural activities, friends are made and through them, the influence of traditional Chinese culture is expanded.

4. Possess good communication skills and necessary foreign language skills

Chinese language teachers should be affable and have the ability and skills to communicate with people, otherwise it is hard to imagine that your Chinese language class will be lively and interesting. Prof. Cui Xiliang, the president of Beijing Language and Culture University, once cited an example of a Chinese teacher explaining the word "jump" in a classroom, and he read the dictionary's explanation with a stern face: "feet off the ground, body upward with force," which the students could not understand. Professor Cui jokingly said, this is not "jump" ah, this is "hanging".

The Chinese teacher didn't think to do a demonstration, and the students immediately understood. In addition, the necessary foreign language skills are needed, at least to be able to communicate basically in the local language, or with the help of English. Overseas students are familiar with the local language and culture, which is a favorable condition for teaching Chinese.

5. Relevant requirements are also indispensable

Love of work, dedication, teaching methodology, and charisma are also essential for a good Chinese language teacher. At present, there is a great demand for overseas teachers of Chinese as a foreign language. In addition to sending Chinese language teachers and Chinese language volunteers every year, the State Hanban is also formulating relevant policies to recruit Chinese language volunteers locally. It is hoped that those who are interested in teaching Chinese as a foreign language will prepare early and become a qualified Chinese as a foreign language teacher as soon as possible.