Beyond the Textbook:  New Online Resources

for Creating Custom Learning Modules for Students

 

Prof. David Porter

University of Michigan

 

Web-based reading materials can provide a useful supplement to traditional textbooks in Chinese language classes beyond the first year.  Students appreciate reading assignments that are up-to-date and relevant to the current issues that interest them.

 

This presentation will introduce a new collection of free, web-based learning materials geared to the needs of intermediate students and their teachers.  These include short, accessible Chinese texts on life in modern Beijing, MP3 audio recordings, graded pinyin annotations, complete vocabulary lists, and online flashcards. 

 

The readings cover a wide range of current topics that will interest young adults who are curious about life in China today.  Subjects include current events, social issues, lifestyle trends, recent films and books, dating, education, and many others. 

 

All materials can be freely reproduced and distributed, allowing teachers easily to create customized learning modules for their students on the topics that most interest them.