Statement of Teaching Interests

Yueguang Wu

Teaching Goals
A teacher is the one who could propagate the doctrine, impart professional knowledge, and resolve doubts.
-- Han Yu. (802). On Teachers
As an international Chinese teacher, I think we should also have these responsibilities, though the content
needs to be changed. On the basis of these three aspects, I am dedicated to completing the following teaching
goals in my teaching:
1. Propagate study methods, and help students become active explorers
It is an old saying that teaching one how to fish is better than giving one a fish. Knowledge is so vast like
an ocean, we teachers not only need to improve ourselves as much as we can, but also cultivate our students to
be autonomous learners. In my Chinese teaching, I emphasize students ability of analysis and summary with
an open attitude, and train them to draw inferences using plenty of examples. I also encourage my students to
explore deeper cultural connotations from the latest learning material and become active learner of Chinese
culture.
2. Impart language skills, and improve students language proficiency comprehensively
Language is a tool for communication, I attach particular importance to the training of listening and
speaking skills. At the same time, I value the balanced development of reading and writing areas as well. For
different learning needs of students, I will differentiate my teaching strategies to train specific skills and help
students establish collaborative learning habits. Through practicing many times, the teaching effects will be
consolidated gradually and repeatedly and students language competence will also make overall and steady
progress.
3. Give guidance and feedback in time, and create a caring learning environment
From my learning experience, I know learning environment has important effects on learning, therefore I
attempt to create an active and healthy learning environment for my students rather than force them to recite
Chinese painfully in a boring way. I am very willing to help students solve their learning puzzles inside and
outside the classroom, give positive and timely feedback, and establish a harmonious relationship between
teacher and students.

Teaching Philosophy
Through my constant exploring and learning in the teaching practice in the last few years, I gradually
formed some mature teaching ideas. To reach those teaching goals, I use the following teaching methods:
1. Take student-centered approach, actively inspire students learning
In the teaching, I employ student-centered principles in all aspects of my classroom practice, considering
the difficulties that may arise from the perspective of students, and differentiating teaching strategies to really
adapt to the needs of students. I also try to cultivate students habits of autonomous learning, encouraging
students to explore methods and rules spontaneously by repeated practice.
2. Focused explanation and adequate practicing, make progress in immersion environment
I advocate creating a Chinese language immersion environment in the classroom to enhance students sense

701 Moore Ave. C3852, Lewisburg, PA 17837

570-556-8881

yw007@bucknell.edu

of Chinese language. In practicing grammar, I prefer to use many sample sentences to make students understand
the usage of grammar in context, rather than using redundant grammatical terms to explain them. I also
emphasize the accuracy which is of great importance to the beginners. The students need to lay a solid foundation
first, and then their level can be raised step by step.
3. Learn from other teachers advantages, integrate different teaching methods accordingly
I am always open-minded to absorbing some excellent teaching skills, and seek to integrate good ideas
from different approaches into my Chinese language courses. For instance, I can use the Total Physical Response
Method when I teach verbs, the Audio-lingual Method in pattern practice, and the Communicative Approach in
the question and answer session. Using modern high-tech teaching equipment moderately is also an effective
way to make class more practical and lively.
4. Value the review and timely feedback, put engaging elements into teaching
I believe that sufficient review and timely feedback are the keys to ensure the learning effects, so I highly
regard review to reinforce their learning. In every stage of Chinese learning, teachers should keep their
sensitivity to pronunciation and grammar, and provide accurate and timely correction to students errors. In
order to achieve the goal of creating a healthy learning atmosphere, I design engaging elements when I prepare
lessons, such as pictures, videos and other materials, to make students enjoy the learning process and bid
farewell to mechanical repetition. Meanwhile, a variety of extracurricular activities will also be used to nurture
enduring interest and motivation for learning Chinese.

Teaching Interests
I teach elementary and intermediate Chinese recitation courses at Bucknell, and taught second-year and
third-year modern Chinese courses at Princeton in Beijing (PiB) Program. In addition, I taught an elementary
listening and speaking course and a periodical reading course at Beijing Normal University. I feel competent to
teach the courses from elementary to advanced level, including heritage and non-heritage track courses. The
courses that I am interested in and also ready to teach at your school are as follows:
1. CHI 101/102 Elementary Chinese I/II
2. CHI 103
Intensive Elementary Chinese
3. CHI 105/107 Intermediate Chinese I/II
4. CHI 108
Intensive Intermediate Chinese
5. CHI 303/304 Third-Year Modern Chinese I/II
6. CHI 305/306 Intensive Third-Year Modern Chinese I/II
7. CHI 403/404 Fourth-Year Modern Chinese I/II
8. CHI 405/406 Intensive Fourth-Year Modern Chinese I/II
I would also welcome the opportunity to contribute to any other courses according to students and
departmental needs.
From the first time I stood in front of the class, being a Chinese teacher had become the most significant
choice of my life. Once I chose this lifelong career, I decided to devote all my passion into enriching my
knowledge reserve and raising my teaching ability. In future teaching, I will treat students with sincerity and
patience, overcome difficulties with persistence, and share my experience with students and colleagues. Im
confident that my great passion for Chinese teaching, various past teaching experience, strong academic
background and communication skills will make me an excellent Chinese teacher.

701 Moore Ave. C3852, Lewisburg, PA 17837

570-556-8881

yw007@bucknell.edu