For second language (L2) learners of Chinese who are native speakers of alphabetic languages, it is common that even after years of learning, reading discourse-length authentic Chinese texts (e.g., newspaper articles and novels) is still an intimidating, laborious, and frustrating task. Two factors, among others, contribute to this problem. One is…

In an effort to motivate language students and to promote real engagement, a long-running project has taken root at Newcastle University. For over 12 years, the Real Translation Project (RTP), an extracurricular initiative in the School of Modern Languages, has been offering opportunities to language students to use their linguistic skills to…

One of the characteristics of a Dynamic Usage-Based (DUB) approach to the second language is that schematic patterns emerge through use and interaction where the intense focus is in input. Video or movie as an example of authentic input often provides a natural context for conversations to emerge among the students and teacher in class since…