Designed by Tim Xie of California State University, Long Beach, in memory of the late Gregory Chiang, this website is a supplement to the seminal textbook on Classical Chinese. The textbook was designed for students of Chinese Literature (usually with at least 3 years of study of the Chinese language), and classical texts of Chinese Literature are translated both into contemporary Chinese and English.
As an accompaniment to the text, the website is a useful addition to ones study of Chinese Literature. There are 16 chapters in total. An online glossary, translation of modern Chinese, pinyin text, grammar notes and online exercises are provided. In addition, there are some links to cartoons which serve as entertaining and useful illustrations.
Type of Material:
Resource
Recommended Uses:
Support materials
Technical Requirements:
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Identify Major Learning Goals:
Advanced Chinese reading
Target Student Population:
Advanced Chinese learners
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
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Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The purpose of the website is to provide a supplement to the textbook of the same name by Gregory Chiang. As a supplement to the textbook, the website is useful in its provision of an online glossary, translation of modern Chinese, pinyin text, grammar notes and online exercises. While it can be used on its own, it works best with the text it is based on. The vocabulary list is useful in providing a quick reference to the works used but is not for the beginner learner of Chinese. This can be illustrated by the fact that while the word count, pinyin text and English translation of each word is given, no instruction is given for how to write it. This can be solved by easy reference to the dictionary.
The material is clearly organized into 16 chapters, and what is particularly interesting are the links to cartoons that serve as entertaining aids to learning. The vocabulary list is neatly organized by chapters as well as by stroke numbers which makes it easy to reference. The exercises provided are a useful test of the words learnt and immediate feedback is given after one has completed the multiple choice questions. The homework is directly related to the course offered but can be useful in independent directing students to extra information they may require.
This website is thus best for students taking the course but can be a useful reference tool for other learners of Chinese.
Concerns:
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The website is most useful to students taking the course using the textbook by Gregory Chiang but can also be used for independent study by an advanced student of Chinese who will be able to cull materials from it for their own use. As a supplement teaching tool, it is an excellent resource for both students and teachers.
It could be made potentially more useful for independent users if a more thorough introduction was given as to the original text. However, in general, the website is effective in meeting its learning objective of supplementing Gregory Chiangs textbook.
Concerns:
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Generally, the website is easy to navigate as the designer has divided the exercises into 16 chapters.
Each chapter consists of the vocabulary lists, pinyin text, exercises and homework, and where possible, links up to cartoons which show up quite quickly. Overall, this website is easy to use.
Concerns:
Note that Chapters 17 20 (as shown on the website) are not taught and there are no materials for these chapters as such, even though the chapter numbers are indicated on the website.
Note also that the video link in Chapter 1 is missing, possibly because it has been removed from the original website.
Other Issues and Comments:
n/a
Creative Commons:
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