The Application Of Service-Learning In Teaching Chinese As A Second Language

The service-learning in the U.S is a combination of community service and traditional learning.The learners in this method are concentrated which is different from other methods.The learners participate in service by using the knowledge that comes from this method and evolve their thoughts and experiences by the reflection from the service.Currently,service-learning is mostly implemented in the United States,Canada,Japan,Singapore,Hong Kong,Taiwan and other countries and regions.In our country,service-learning is in development and experimental period,while the theory of service-learning is wildly accepted by the social practice,volunteer groups,medical internships and every period of education.Nowadays,as a increasing number of international students come to China,the importance of how to guide them connect to the local society,understand the quintessence of local society and improve the efficiency of communication throughout different cultures has been attracting the attention of the experts.The service-learning provides a new method for teaching Chinese as a second language.Though this way,the international students can improve the intercultural communication competence and collaborative ability,which exerts a positive effect to further life in China.Firstly,this paper investigates the application scope of service learning in China and summarizes the necessity and feasibility of international students participating in social services.According to the news,investigation and interview,etc.,this paper summarizes the cases of overseas students participating in social volunteer service in China in recent years,and analyzes the current situation of overseas students participating in social service from the perspective of service type,service time and responsible body of institutions.In order to further understand the demand and intention of overseas students for service-learning,this paper designed the questionnaire of overseas students’ intention of service-learning,and conducted investigation and statistics on the expected service-learning content,service training,service duration,expectation of improvement of Chinese language ability and influence on themselves.The results show that international students expect more diversified service contents,sufficient prior training and moderate activity duration,and most of them think that their Chinese communicative competence will be effectively improved.With reference to the above survey results,this paper designed the overall scheme for the implementation of service learning,emphasized the main steps and matters needing attention,and,under the guidance of this,designed and implemented the service-learning project for international students to participate in the community accompanied by elderly people as a case study with case analysis as the main research method.Cases are divided into preparation for service learning,including program design,training,pre-service testing and other links;The implementation part of service learning explains each link of service-learning in detail.The evaluation and reflection of service learning are conducted through post-service test,interviews and diaries of overseas students.The results show that the level of Chinese language,communication skills,understanding of Chinese society and other aspects have been improved to some extent.At the end of this paper,based on the survey results,some suggestions are made on the implementation of service-learning plan in second language teaching.