Ancient Chinese Texts Online: Enhancing Students’ Chinese Writing Skills through the Study of Classical Sayings (2024/25)

The “University Chinese I and II” courses at CUHK cater to over 3,000 students, aiming to bolster their Chinese language proficiency and foster critical thinking. The inclusion of “Ancient Texts” is crucial for distinct learning objectives in each level. In University Chinese I, students delve into specialized topics concerning ancient Chinese language, exploring its unique usage and historical evolution. Meanwhile, in University Chinese II, emphasis is placed on analytical and argumentative skills through the study of classical texts, equipping students with a rich understanding of classical Chinese literature and enhancing their persuasive writing abilities. Additionally, across at least 6 elective courses, students engage in further refinement of their Chinese language skills, particularly in classical Chinese reading and usage, contributing to an overall enhancement of their language proficiency.

We propose developing a user-friendly website, designed to ease students into the domain of Chinese ancient wisdom, and facilitate its practical application, using the scaffolding theory of learning. The goal is to improve students’ proficiency in Classical Chinese and foster an elegant writing style.

This E-Platform applies scaffolding in its design, starting with sentences and smaller sections to make learning more manageable, mirroring the step-by-step support that scaffolding theory advocates. It addresses common difficulties students encounter in learning ancient texts, such as feeling distant from the material and being overwhelmed by the vast volume of ancient texts.

Key features of the platform, constructed with scaffolding theory in mind, include a categorized repository, classical commentary from different scholars, retrieval functionality, daily sayings, and personalized learning. This allows students to build upon their knowledge in a structured way, exploring content relevant to their study fields, efficiently searching for specific sayings or related topics, engaging in manageable daily learning, and customizing their learning journey based on their interests and professional needs. Also, we will design pre-tests and post-tests to assess student outcomes.

The proposed website fills a crucial gap in the existing landscape of online resources. While there are some existing websites catering to professional research or secondary students, there is a notable scarcity of platforms specifically designed to cater to the needs of general university students, particularly in accessing Chinese ancient texts. Our platform aims to bridge the gap between secondary and university-level curricula, serving as a vital resource for students transitioning from secondary to tertiary education. It prepares them for their journey into society by fostering a deeper understanding of Chinese traditional wisdom and culture, equipping them with essential knowledge and insights before entering the workforce.

By integrating textual explanations, the E-Platform facilitates students’ exploration and application of Chinese ancient texts anytime, anywhere, as per the support-then-independence approach of scaffolding. The E-Platform serves as a crucial resource for students to gain a deep understanding and practical application of ancient sayings within their respective fields, fostering a meaningful connection with China’s cultural heritage.

Website: chltact.chi.cuhk.edu.hk