Resources

Please find below a collection of digital resources for anyone interested in the learning, teaching and research of Chinese Language and Culture. From videos and files of public talks, presentations, cultural activities and workshops, we hope you find something of interest. Teachers are welcome to use any of the materials as teaching resources. For any queries please contact online-ci@open.ac.uk

Please find below resources to support with the learning of Chinese

Chinese@OU - free character learning app

This free Chinese character learning app is developed by the Chinese team led by Dr Kan Qian at the Open University. It provides fun and interactive activities to help you write, recognise, and memorise some of the most frequently used characters in a clear and enjoyable way. The app contains over 200 frequently used characters for beginner Chinese learners and introduced in the Open University’s new module Beginners’ Chinese.

Download the app here from the Apple App store or from the Google Play Store

After you have used the app, we would very much appreciate if you could complete this short survey.

Please find below resources to support the teaching and learning of topics relating to Chinese culture, literature, history and philosophy

Recordings and materials for public talks on Chinese philosophy and history

‘The Good Life: What ancient philosophers can tell us about living well today’ by Dr Jingyi Jenny Zhao.

Further details, video and transcript of the talk

‘Confucian China in a Changing World Cultural Order’ by Professor Roger T. Ames.

Further details, video and transcript of the talk

‘China and the shaping of its own modernity’ by Professor Roger T. Ames.

Further details, video and transcript of the talk

‘Chinese Labour Corps of WW1-China's efforts to regain territorial integrity’ by Peng Wenlan

Further details, video and transcript of the talk

Watch the film referenced in the talk

Recordings and materials for public talks on Chinese culture

‘Harmony in Diversity - Navigating life and work in China with intercultural competence’ by British Council China Director Nick Thomas

Further details, video and transcript of the talk

Recordings and materials for the Modern Chinese Literature Book Club series

The book club series provides thoughtful discussion on contemporary Chinese writers' work and related translation issues, which brings together those interested in contemporary Chinese literature and translation studies. Each session focuses on an author and a particular piece of their work. The discussions are in English and are facilitated by Paper Republic, an organisation set up by expert translators Nicky Harman and Emily Jones, as well as special guest translators representing their translated work.

1st Session: Sissy Zhong (钟腻哥, Zhong Ni Ge), by Yan Ge (颜歌), translated by Nicky Harman.

Further details, video and transcript of the talk

2nd Session: Hitchhikers (搭车客), by Sanmao (三毛), first published in Stories of the Sahara, translated by Mike Fu.

Further details, video and transcript of the talk

Please find below resources to support teachers of Chinese or parents who want to teach their children Chinese

Chinese New Year Activities

These downloadable activities are suitable for both young learners and adults.

Please find below resources and materials from academic publications and workshops in relation to teaching Chinese as a foreign language

Open Access academic publications in teaching Chinese as a foreign language

Special Issue: Technology-enhanced Teaching of Chinese as a Foreign Language

This open-access special issue is published by the peer reviewed Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning (JCCALL). It is co-edited by Dr SHI Lijing and Dr KAN Qian. This special issue aims to bridge the gap between research and pedagogy in the intersection of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL). It explores and showcases innovative approaches, research findings, and practical applications in the field of technology-enhanced teaching of Chinese as a foreign language.

Read the editors’ introduction to this special issue to find out more about the topics and contributors.

View and download the full paper.