Language Resident Name: Zehuang Cao (Johnson)
Day and Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Language and Level (intermediate or advanced class): Chinese Intermediate 011
Class theme/topics discussed:
Stereotypes about China & Chinese
Goal of the class:
- To make students aware of some stereotypes about China and Chinese;
- To help students develop a comprehensive and true understanding of China and Chinese;
- To help students get a critical view of some issues and phenomena in China.
How did you structure the class?
- Introduce the word “stereotype” in simple Chinese to the students;
- Ask them to brainstorm some stereotypes about China and Chinese;
- Invite them to write down the stereotypes they hold (key words) on white board;
- Explain each stereotype they wrote and provide them with more information;
- Let the students fully understand different stereotypes that foreigners hold:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSM1VEygFCc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jD9Txvsoe8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA1qRYBi6Xg
- Wrap up this topic.
What technology, media or props did you use? (internet resources, playmobiles, handouts, etc.)
Videos.
What worked well in this class? What did not work?
Brainstorming worked well in this class, since the students were very active in coming to the front to write down the stereotypes they held on white board. Besides, they loved to understand those stereotypes through discussion with me (a native Chinese) after watching the videos.
How could this class be improved/ modified?
No.
If you have a more detailed lesson plan, please attach it below (OK to use target language for that). Please attach any handouts as well.
Some stereotypes about the Chinese:
- Chinese people are only good at math and science;
- Chinese restaurants serve cats and dogs;
- Chinese people look alike/exactly the same;
- Chinese women are inferior and subordinate to men;
- Chinese people are not allowed to be Christians;
- Chinese people are very quiet and introverted;
- Chinese people can ride bicycles, but can’t drive;
- Chinese people eat everything that moves;
- Everything “made in China” is fake;
- Chinese people know how to play Kung Fu;
- All Chinese names are difficult to pronounce;
- There are only two famous actors in China: Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan;
- When you see an Asian on the street, he/she must be Chinese;
- Chinese is the most difficult language in the world;
- Cantonese is the official language of China;
- Chinese people are traditional and conservative;
- Chinese people think money can buy anything;
- Many foreigners tend to think that Chinese people are brainwashed or mind-controlled by their government.