In language learning, communication is more than just memorizing vocabulary and grammar—it’s about using language in meaningful ways. At Chia Chinese, we follow the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) framework, which emphasizes three modes of communication: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational. By incorporating all three modes into our lessons, we ensure that students develop practical language skills they can use in real-life situations.
- Interpersonal Mode (互动交流模式) – Two-way communication
This mode focuses on real-time exchanges, such as conversations, discussions, and interactive activities. It helps students develop their ability to think and respond in Chinese naturally.
✨ How we use it in class:
- Students engage in paired dialogues, role-playing activities, and group discussions.
- In a unit about food, students might act out a restaurant scene where one student orders food while another plays the waiter.
- Younger learners practice through Q&A games and simple conversations with their classmates.
- Interpretive Mode (解读理解模式) – Understanding language
In this mode, students develop listening and reading comprehension skills by interpreting spoken or written texts. Unlike the interpersonal mode, there is no immediate interaction with the speaker or writer.
✨ How we use it in class:
- Students listen to teacher-led storytelling, watch videos, or read short passages.
- For example, after watching a short animated clip, students answer comprehension questions or retell the story in their own words.
- Picture books and short dialogues are used to help students develop their reading skills.
- Presentational Mode (表达呈现模式) – Producing language for an audience
This mode involves creating spoken or written language for others to understand, such as giving a speech, writing a story, or making a presentation.
✨ How we use it in class:
- Students create and present projects, such as describing their daily routines, introducing their families, or recording a short video.
- After learning about different animals, younger students might draw their favorite animal and describe it using simple sentences.
- Older students might prepare a short skit and perform it in front of the class.
By incorporating all three modes of communication into our curriculum, we help students not only learn Chinese but also use it confidently and effectively. This approach ensures that they develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a balanced way, preparing them for authentic communication in the real world.
Would you like to see these communication modes in action?
Stay tuned for more updates on our classroom activities!
