Chinese Film And Television As An Effective Method For Stimulating Intrinsic Motivation In Chinese Language Learning,and As A Strategy For Improving China's Cultural Influence

"Why do foreigners study Chinese?" This question is the starting point of this thesis.It seems the characteristics of students learning Chinese are really very different to those learning Korean,Japanese,or English.The predominant reason for studying these languages rest with the influence of film and television in these countries,and the manner in which their respective culture are conveyed on screen.Not only are people willing to study the language,but also they ardently hope to understand the culture and yearn to experience that living style.In order to verify the claim that Chinese language students are not as familiar with Chines film and television,a self-coordinated inquiry has been conducted amongst foreigners studying Chinese in Shanghai,and researchers their motivations for studying Chinese.The questionnaire has 30 questions,which pertain to internal and external motivation.The results show that students' interest for Chines film and television,as a reason for studying Chinese,is lower than first anticipated.The predominant reason for individuals studying Chinese appears to derive from external motivation.As regarding the promotion of Chinese and the important organizations setup to promote Chinese culture,China has established Confucius institutes around the world to promote Chinese language and culture,whilst at the same time providing a window for the entire world to see and understand China,establishing a platform for cultural exchange.At present,the Confucius institute system separates its language and culture classes and activities.However,if the two were to be combined together,it would be possible to gain two ends at once.Not only would it effectively promote Chinese language,but also increase the influence of Chines culture abroad.In order to resolve the difficulties regarding study motivation in foreign Chines education,and as a means to combine language and culture classes,it is proposed that Chines film and television should be promoted more strongly in classes.Film and television works epitomize and reflect culture,so by means of film and television education,not only can you increase student's interest in culture,but also strengthen cultural soft power.This kind of internal motivation can cause students want to study a foreign language for the long-term.On these grounds,Chinese language education has not made full use of Chinese film and television.Moreover,a lot of research into Chinese film and television is quite outmoded and lacking in appeal for modern learners.So the present writer has selected a modern day big city workplace drama,released in 2016,which has received widespread fame in China("Ode to Joy").This contains everyday Chinese expressions used by modern China's young professionals.Directed at intermediate and more advanced level students,the educational aim is to understand the everyday lifestyle and culture of young professionals in China's big cities,as well as grasp routinely used expressions in modern Chinese society.Looking to "Ode to Joy" as an example case together with individual interviews,I have recommended a method of education using film and television which,combined,can increase China's soft power and stimulate internal motivation for studying Chinese.