TEACHx 2024

This study delved into the ways an open educational resource platform can help Chinese language students bridge the gap between the topics covered in their language textbooks and their life experiences. Our observation revealed that the current Chinese textbooks we utilize struggle to keep pace with the rapidly changing society. Students often found the topics to be outdated, making it challenging for them to relate to their present lives. To address this issue, we developed a supplementary reading textbook using a grant from NU's open educational resources program. This supplementary material includes students' essays on contemporary life experiences, such as dating, hobbies, and campus life, strategically integrated into various sections of the textbooks we employ. The inclusion of this supplementary reading material empowers students to engage in active discussions on textbook topics with their classmates, fostering meaningful communication. Simultaneously, the OER reading book enables us to incorporate up-to-date authentic content and juxtapose it with relevant classical works in Chinese literature. By incorporating students' work and authentic current topics through open resource technology, we successfully bridge the past and present, enriching the learning experience.