THE APPLICATION OF FABLE-BASED IDIOMS IN TEACHING CHINESE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Thi Bao Ngan Nguyen1,
1 Khoa Ngôn ngữ và Văn hóa Trung Quốc, Trường Đại học Ngoại ngữ, Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội, Số 2 Phạm Văn Đồng, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Main Article Content

Abstract

In the context of the growing global influence of the Chinese language, the teaching of fable-based idioms has become more essential than ever. As an important component of Chinese vocabulary, these idioms are not only culturally rich but also convey profound philosophical meanings. However, due to historical backgrounds, narrative complexity, and cultural differences, learners - especially Vietnamese students - often face challenges in comprehending and applying such idioms. Based on a practical survey of second-year Chinese majors and relevant literature analysis, this paper explores the pedagogical value of fable-based idioms in Chinese language instruction, identifies existing challenges in teaching practices, and proposes effective strategies such as storytelling, contextual simulations, classroom games, and the use of translation as a bridge. These methods aim to enhance learners’ acquisition of both language and cultural understanding.

Article Details

References

Bao, Y. Y. (2005). Dictionary of Language. Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House.
Cai, Z. L. (2018). An Action Research on the Teaching of Classical Chinese for Foreigners — Taking Idiomatic Fable Stories as an Example. National Chengchi University.
Hoang, P. (1998). Vietnamese Dictionary. Center for Lexicography.
Ma, Y. X. (2025). Research on Idiom Teaching from the Perspective of “Telling Good Chinese Stories”. Innovative Education Research, 13(4), 250–257. https://www.hanspub.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=111455
Ngo, H. D. & Do, H. T. (2021). Chinese Culture Reflected in Idioms Containing the Character “火” (Compared with Vietnamese). Journal of Foreign Languages Studies (Hanoi University), 67, 96–106. https://doi.org/10.56844/tckhnn.67.93
Nguyen, D. H. (2019). Vietnamese Students’ Problems in Their Use of Chinese Idioms and Suggestions for Improvement. Journal of Foreign Studies, 35(2), 53-69.
https://jfs.ulis.vnu.edu.vn/index.php/fs/article/view/4349/4038
Sun, H. D. (2011). Dictionary of Chinese Proverbs. The Commercial Press.
Xu, X. D. (2021). A Preliminary Exploration of the Compilation Principles of Chinese Idioms in Textbooks for Foreign Learners. Publication and Literary Education (Upper Edition), 10, 174–175.
Zhang, K. X. (2023). An Analysis of Teaching Idiomatic Fable Stories in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. Publication and Journal of Chinese Character Culture, 23, 87–89.