Article published In: Australian Review of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 21:2 (1998) ► pp.43–59
Using a combined approach to teach Chinese business writing
Published online: 1 January 1998
https://doi.org/10.1075/aral.21.2.03yun
https://doi.org/10.1075/aral.21.2.03yun
Abstract
This paper sets out to explore how to teach Chinese business writing with a combined approach based on schema theory and genre analysis. Very little research has been done in the area of teaching business Chinese except for the ‘recipe’ style textbook advice which fails to reflect a complete picture of business practice in mainland China. In order to fill this gap, this paper proposes a combined approach and exemplifies its application in teaching the writing of sales letters. The emphasis is placed on the teaching of communicative purposes of this genre. In addition, the learning of business Chinese is viewed as a dynamic process of establishing knowledge structures. The teacher can help the students in this process by providing them with authentic materials and by integrating the views of the enterprise managers.
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