Philosophy Statement
Qiang Chen
About second language acquisition Stephen Krashen stated that
“acquisition requires meaningful interaction in the target language - natural communication - in which speakers are concerned not with the form of their utterances but with the messages they are conveying and understanding”. As a language teacher, my teaching goal is to foster students’ language proficiency to conduct authentic and meaningful communication. To teach Chinese as a foreign language I should use a variety strategy to provide opportunities for students to develop their four domains of the target language and learn the Chinese culture. The three communicative modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational outlined in the Standards for Foreign Language learning in the 21st
Century by the American Council will be a guideline for my teaching.
1.
Language is a social medium. The ultimate purpose of learning a language is to use it for communication. The students are motivated to use language when they have an authentic reason to communicate. I should always try to use communication-based strategies to design my curriculum and teaching plan, and expose my students to the language that they can use in really life situation. Therefore, they can become competent speakers, readers and writers in the target language.
2.
Language acquisition occurs when learners understand the message. I

will use multisensory such as visuals, graphic organizer, realia, demonstrations role-play, facial expressions and technology to illustrate meaning. Students will reinforce their understanding of my comprehensible input by hands-on activities, role play, class presentation and real-world projects ， which can promote interaction and motivate language use.
3.
I will use thematic instruction to help students to connect ideas across content areas of Chinese culture, history and arts as they explore new concepts and language. I will surround students with carefully select literature, rich, authentic language in a meaningful context to promote students’ language development.
4.
In addition to formative assessments, I will use on site authentic assessment to evaluate students’ language proficiency. LingoFolio and language projects can also build students’ confidence and increase fluency.
As a passionate Language educator, I must treat my students with respect, dignity, compassion and understanding. I must focus on the student as a developing individual in learning a new language and culture, and provide appropriate support according to their different learning styles and intelligence. In a language-rich, risk free learning environment, students will get countless opportunities to try out the target language and move toward standard usage.