An Adaption Based On TPRS Pedagogy Of The Elementary Textbook Designed For Adults

As China’s economic, political and cultural power rise, the trend of learning Chinese gradually rises in various countries. It has been the priority of more overseas Chinese teachers to adapt their teaching to the local specific circumstances and requirements.TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) pedagogy as the derivatives of TPR (Total Physical Response) method, which was founded by Blaine Ray in1990, is drawing more attention of foreign language teachers. More foreign language teacher introduces this method in their classroom teaching. The application of TPRS in teaching Chinese as a foreign language is still in its infancy stage.The weekend mandarin course is an important content of the Confucius Institute at the University of Hawaii at Manoa which is taught by professional and volunteer teachers independently. The thesis explores the adaption of the textbook’s (Experiencing in China (Live in China)) vocabulary, grammar and text parts, as well as analyzes the effects of the adaption using in-class tests, questionnaires and case analysis.This thesis comprises five chapters.The Foreword part first discusses the research background; the problem the author found in the overseas teaching experiences; the domestic and abroad development of TPRS approach.Chapter2introduces how the author adapt Experiencing in China (Live in China) based on the TPRS approach.Chapter3analyzed the effects of the textbook adaption from three aspects which are in-class tests, questionnaires and case analysis From the survey results.The last part proposes the problems and difficulties of adapting textbook designed for elementary classes based on the TPRS method, as well as the author’s advices and suggestions.