Accented Mandarin and Teaching Linguistic Diversity in the Chinese Second Language Classroom

This study examines the concept of linguistic diversity in Chinese-speaking regions, discusses how various accents affect the acquisition of Chinese as a second language (CSL) with a focus on listening comprehension, and recommends that students be exposed to non-standard Mandarin accents in the CSL classroom. This study especially highlights CSL speakers’ perspectives on this issue by conducting questionnaires and interviews, which are largely missing in existing research. In addition, three types of pedagogical strategies are proposed to promote exposure to accented Mandarin in the CSL classroom, including the cultivation of teachers’ awareness, curricula design, and authentic teaching materials.

Keywords

linguistic diversity CSL listening skills accented Mandarin

source

International Journal of Chinese Language Education; Jun 2021; Issue No. 9; p.147 - 178

Publisher

Department of Chinese Language Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong
Chinese Language Program, Columbia University
Chung Hwa Book Co. (H.K.) Ltd.

Language

English

ISSN

2520-7733 (Print); 2521-4241 (Online)