Hi guys, I am a Chinese teacher based in Sydney Australia. I have been teaching for over 6 years! So far, I believe the best way of learning a language is: Comprehensible Input + TPRS(Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling).
Only when you understand what the teacher says and when you get as much comprehensible input as you can, you will learn the language in the natural way without pain.
If you want to book private lessons or join my group class, you can email me at: [email protected]
Now, let's throw away those boring textbooks and learn Chinese through fun/compelling stories! Watch my comprehensible input videos and acquire Chinese effortlessly!
More videos on my YouTube channel: Comprehensible Chinese
What is TPRS:
TPR Storytelling (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling or TPRS) is a method of teaching foreign languages. TPRS lessons use a mixture of reading and storytelling to help students learn a foreign language in a classroom setting.
The method works in three steps: in step one the new vocabulary structures to be learned are taught using a combination of translation, gestures, and personalized questions; in step two those structures are used in a spoken class story; and finally, in step three, these same structures are used in a class reading.
What is Comprehensible Input:
Comprehensible input is language input that can be understood by listeners despite them not understanding all the words and structures in it. It is described as one level above that of the learners if it can only just be understood. According to Krashen's theory of language acquisition, giving learners this kind of input helps them acquire language naturally, rather than learn it consciously.
In the classroom
Trying to understand language slightly above their level encourages learners to use natural learning strategies such as guessing words from context and inferring meaning. As the example suggests, a teacher needs to know the level of the learners very well in order to select comprehensible input, and in a large class of mixed ability, different learners will need different texts.
