Acting Chinese is a year-long course that, together with the companion website, integrates language learning with the acquisition of cultural knowledge, and treats culture as an integral part of human behavior and communication. Using modern day examples of Chinese discourse and behavioral culture, it trains students to perform in culturally appropriate fashion, whilst developing a systematic awareness and knowledge about Chinese philosophy, values and belief systems that will prepare them for further advanced study of Chinese language and culture. Each lesson contains simulated real-life communication scenarios that aim to provide a concrete opportunity to see how native speakers generally communicate or behave in social situations. An essential guide for intermediate to advanced level second language learners, Acting Chinese provides a unique and modern approach to the acquisition of both cultural knowledge and language proficiency.

Acting Chinese is a year-long course that, together with the companion website, integrates language learning with the acquisition of cultural knowledge, and treats culture as an integral part of human behavior and communication. Using modern day examples of Chinese discourse and behavioral culture, it trains students to perform in culturally appropriate fashion, whilst developing a systematic awareness and knowledge about Chinese philosophy, values and belief systems that will prepare them for further advanced study of Chinese language and culture. Each lesson contains simulated real-life communication scenarios that aim to provide a concrete opportunity to see how native speakers generally communicate or behave in social situations. An essential guide for intermediate to advanced level second language learners, Acting Chinese provides a unique and modern approach to the acquisition of both cultural knowledge and language proficiency.

Written and designed for advanced learners of Chinese, this book and its accompanying audio program focus on the variety of linguistic strategies that are essential in real-life communications. The lessons include texts that are representative of current life in China and that are authentic works of literature. Five types of discourse are considered in detail-narration, description, persuasion, exposition, and lyrical expression. With carefully crafted vocabulary, grammar, and exercise sections in each lesson, the book assists learners in improving writing and speaking skills, recognizing the difference between colloquial discourse and more formal discourse, and acquiring a sophisticated understanding of the meanings and nuances of the language. The authors also include a useful list of supplementary readings that may be used to enhance the texts in the book. Audio files are online at yalebooks.com/advancedchinese.