Perform Suzhou: A Course in Intermediate to Advanced Spoken Mandarin

Perform Suzhou is a task- and performance-oriented textbook course for Chinese study abroad programs serving intermediate- to advanced-level learners.

Performance is the key concept; developing communication skills through role playing. Field performance tasks enable students learning Chinese to refine and solidify communication skills by executing real-life tasks in the target culture, before reporting on their experiences in the classroom. The dialogues presented form the basis for improvisation for related contexts, equipping students to respond appropriately in new situations. Perform Suzhou is composed of staged units, drills, exercises and culture notes with accompanying audio.

The textbook is accompanied by audio and Action! China, the supporting workbook.

Xiaobin Jian is Associate Director of the National East Asian Languages Resource Center, USA, and is Associate Professor of Chinese at Ohio State University. He specializes in language pedagogy, discourse analysis, presentation and negotiation in cross-cultural context, material development and program development.

Jianfen Wang joined Berea College, USA, in 2016 as an Assistant Professor of Chinese and Asian Studies. Dr. Wang recently completed her PhD in Chinese language and culture pedagogy at Ohio State University.

Junqing Jia joined Hamilton College, USA, in 2017 as an Assistant Professor of East Asian Languages and Literatures. Dr. Jia recently completed her PhD in Chinese language and culture pedagogy at Ohio State University.

Feng Chenghua is Associate Professor of Chinese at Soochow University, China, and Vice-President of the Suzhou Association of Chinese Calligraphers.