Zhongguotong

Ideal For: Students in grades K-8.

Zhongguotong (中国通) offers stimulating language-learning activities, together with a gradual introduction of Chinese characters, for primary and secondary students (K-8). Each level of this series provides authentic Chinese language in lively and interesting situations. Accompanying photographic and hand-drawn illustrations help convey cultural information and encourage language learning. The activities-based approach of Zhongguotong gradually increases demand on students as they progress through each module. Content is heavily weighted for Australian learning environments (for example, use of Australian colloquialisms).

Zhongguotong was developed as part of the National Chinese Language Curriculum Project of Australia, to support the National Curriculum Guidelines for Chinese. The series is structured in three levels (with approximate grade equivalents):

• Stages A & B (grades K-3)
• Stages 1 & 2 (grades 4-6)
• Stages 3 & 4 (grades 7-8)

Supplementary material for each level includes audio cassette tapes, a teachers’ handbook, and photocopiable teacher resources. This series is in simplified characters only.