Abstract:

"This thoughtfully developed Chinese language program aims to improve the listening skills of intermediate and advanced students. The program utilizes recordings of unscripted conversations between a speaker from Taiwan and one from Mainland China on a variety of topics, introducing students to social and cultural issues in Taiwan, mainland China, and the U.S., and exploring different viewpoints. Unlike materials based on TV and radio broadcasts, which are often difficult for students to grasp completely without background knowledge, these engaging dialogues are designed specifically to facilitate learning and provoke discussion. Pre-listening activities provide student with relevant knowledge and vocabulary, listening activities encourage and vocabulary, listening activities encourage students to hypothesize and listen critically, and post-listening activities reinforce skills and integrate them with others, such as speaking and writing. This program can be used by itself or in conjunction with any of these three textbooks: Taiwan Today, Beyond the Basics, and A Chinese Text for a Changing China, all of which are published by Cheng & Tsui Company. Includes 3 audio tapes totaling 160 minutes. A transcript (S) of the audio portion is available for teachers. A multimedia program is also in the works. C&T. Student's Book: 8.5 x 11, approx. 118pp. Teacher's Script: 8.5 x 11, approx. 64pp." Student's Book (T): $15.95. Student's Book (S): $15.95 Teacher's Script (S): $15.95 3 Cass. (Individual): $39.95. 3 Cass. (Institution): $95.00.