Immersion Mandarin Chinese | Encyclopedia | STEM World | Science and Nature

In this ongoing class, learners will practice Mandarin Chinese by engaging in encyclopedic books. This immersion class will use 100% Mandarin Chinese. This is for intermediate Mandarin Chinese learners who can have and understand simple conversations.

For each class, I will read and flip through a non-fiction encyclopedic picture book. Learners will be invited to discuss what they see in the pictures, and make connections to their own experience. (The books will be in traditional Mandarin Chinese with/without zhuyin - please note that the goal is NOT to recognize characters or read, but to practice listening, speaking, and critical thinking).

The goal is to expose learners to an environment where Mandarin Chinese is used so they can be comfortable in their language learning journey. Learners are welcomed to just sit back and listen, or raise their hand to actively participate.

Depending on current events/happenings, the topic will be dictated weekly. There will be no materials needed.

Sample topics:
Week 1: 豆腐好好吃 (Tofu)
Week 2: 動物建築師 (Animal architects)
Week 3: 雨後的小傘 - 菇 (Mushrooms) ㄥ動物發明家 (Animal inventors)
Week 4: 自來水的旅行 (Tap water's adventure)
Week 5: 人體骨頭 (Human body - bones)
Week 6: 餐盒裡的東西 (Lunch Box)
Week 7: 神奇的便便工廠 (Human body - Digestive system)

Week 8: April 9: 生活好幫手:電器 (Electricity)
Week 9: April 16: 鐘錶滴答滴答 (Clocks and Time)
Week 10: April 23: 太空人.太空梭 (Astronauts)
Week 11: 磁浮列車 (Maglevs)

Potential topics:
地球發燒了 (The earth has a fever)
火藥 / 炸藥 (Explosives)
衣服 (Clothes)
礦石/鐘乳石洞 (Mineral rocks)
貨櫃船/帆船 (Freight ships)
黃金/埃及金字塔 (Gold/Pyramids)
地球的演化 (Changes in Earth)
時間的奧秘 (Time)
貨幣的歷史 (History of Money)

Due to copyright issues, video recordings will not be shared. Affiliated authors include XIaoTianXia, Shangyi Publishing.