Brain-compatible Learning in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (R1) Speakers: Marjorie Hall Haley, Robin Harvey, Frank Tang

1. Brain-Based Foreign Language Learning Robin Harvey New York University Project for Developing Chinese Language Teachers April 24, 2010

2. Engage the Emotional Brain “ Why do I have to learn Chinese?” “ I have no choice, it’s the ONLY language offered here!” Vs. “ I LOVE CHINESE! We wrote skits and they were soooo funny! “ My Chinese teacher taught us the coolest song in class!”

3. Engage the Emotional Brain But that’s not REAL learning! Real learning entails suffering! But I didn’t learn that way! But the kids are so NOISY when I teach this!

5. Sing the song (conjugating “To Be”): Sum es est sumus estis sunt eram eras erat eramus eratis erant ero eris erit erimus eritis erunt And Pray to the God of the North for a Snow Day! Latin was the most popular class in my high school Language is the tool to get a day off school!

6. Engaging The Social Brain Cooperative Work Interviewing classmates, Creative Writing (skits, plays, songs) Language is the tool to enjoy an activity with friends.

7. Engaging The Social Brain Cooperative Work Interviewing classmates, Creative Writing (skits, plays, songs) Language is the tool to sell things (and to make jokes).

8. Language is the tool to tell a story.

11. The Curious Brain Language is the tool to solve a problem.

14. Project for Developing Chinese Language Teachers (DCLT) Project DCLT New York University Frank Lixing Tang, Ph.D., Director Robin Harvey, Coordinator [email_address] (212)992-9367