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Chinese Language and Culture
AP Annual Conference Submission
Jianhua Bai
Chief Reader, AP Chinese
Kenyon College
Research has shown that the presentation of coherent and meaningful information leads to deeper processing, which results in better learning. Information that has a greater number of connections to related information promotes better learning (Anderson, 1990). Facts and skills taught in isolation need more practice before they can be internalized or put into long term memory. This presentation will deal with the development of the theme-based language teaching and learning, an instructional approach that situates language learning in meaningful, proficiency-based and thematic units for AP Chinese. Specific examples will be used to illustrate how the concept of theme-based language teaching and learning is applied in both curriculum design and classroom practice. The presentation will conclude with a question and answer period for participants to share their own best practices in applying the principle of theme-based language teaching and learning.