Formal Chinese in Classical Stories and Contemporary Contexts

Formal Chinese in Classical Stories and Contemporary Contexts aims to bridge the gap between informal and formal Chinese, a common learning plateau for many intermediate-to-advanced learners.

A defining feature of this textbook is that it equips students with the communicative tools needed to apply set phrases and conventional linguistic structures preserved in Modern Chinese in real life situations. The entertaining and thought-provoking stories selected for the book are an accessible entry-point to formal Chinese. Jargon-free grammar instruction relates classical grammar structures to Modern Chinese while example sentences in the language illustrate the usage of targeted vocabulary, grammar, and expressions. The lessons are situated in the real world by connecting each theme to a contemporary topic. Each lesson dedicates a section to analysing important cultural practices from perspectives such as literature, linguistics, philosophy, and etymology, and concludes with an example passage demonstrating the utilization of chengyu paired with a set of discussion questions which invite further exploration of the text.

Incorporating innovative pedagogical approaches and real-world applications, this textbook is designed for intermediate-advanced students of Chinese. It is suitable for both class-based and self-taught students.