This course stems from practical applications, leading students to a full understanding of the fundamentals of Chinese grammar, as well as the principles and methods of teaching Chinese grammar. Through lectures, discussions, and micro teaching activities, students will take the first steps towards using theory in the practical application of teaching Chinese grammar. Equipped with a higher level of active knowledge of grammar, students will enhance their abilities to predict and avoid grammatical errors, resolve grammatical problems, and put together grammar-teaching exercises.

The main content of this course can be separated into three units. The first unit will introduce the basic principles of teaching grammar. The second unit will cover the basic content of Chinese grammar to be taught. The third unit will focus on honing students’ skills and methods for teaching Chinese grammar. The second unit is the centerpiece of the course; it is not a comprehensive overview of modern Chinese grammar, but rather, was developed based upon the actual needs and requirements of teaching. For this unit, the instructor has chosen difficult grammar points, and will specifically discuss and analyze Chinese content words, words with grammatical meaning only, complements, sentence patterns, word order, compound phrases, and other such important, difficult, or easily mistaken points and educational tactics for overcoming them. Through microteaching activities, students will connect theoretical knowledge with the actual practice of teaching. Instructors will analyze, explain, and comment upon students’ recording teaching practice sessions to guide them toward improvement in their grammar-teaching practice.