CLTA   MONOGRAPH #4

 Understanding the Learning and Teaching of Chinese as a

Foreign Language: New Empirical Findings

 

CALL FOR PAPERS

 

The CLTA Monograph Committee plans to publish in 2007 a volume of articles based on empirical research in the teaching and learning of Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL).    We are currently soliciting papers on all aspects of those topics.

 

Project Vision:

CLTA monograph #4 will be a collection of quantitative and qualitative research papers that examine the learning and teaching of CFL.  Articles may be either in English or in Chinese.  The completed volume will provide valuable data-based evidence, and advance our knowledge about the complexities of and effective strategies for teaching and learning CFL.   We expect it not only to be a basic text for training future teachers, but to be useful for all those currently dedicated to the profession of teaching CFL. 

 

Scope and Topics:

We welcome basic research, case studies, action research, longitudinal research, and context-based research. We also welcome research showing cross-institutional collaboration with cross-disciplinary perspectives.  We particularly welcome papers on the following topics:

1. Cognitive aspects of CFL acquisition;

2. Psychological and social-contextual aspect of CFL acquisition;

3. Learning strategies (reading strategies and writing strategies);

4. Classroom research (input/interaction analysis, corrective feedback);

5. Literacy development;

6. Heritage learners; and

7. Translation studies.

 

Review Criteria:

The main criteria for paper selection are: significance of the research questions, appropriateness of research methods, familiarity with the SLA and CFL research literature, validity of the data, and the significance of the research findings to the profession of CFL.  Papers should include an introduction to the research paper, literature review of most relevant studies, methods, data analysis procedures, and significance of conclusions.  An abstract of the article in both Chinese and English is required. It is also recommended that authors writing in their non-native language to have articles thoroughly edited by professionals with native-level proficiency prior to submission.

 

Submission and Review Procedures:

Papers should be submitted through e-mail to the Executive Director of CLTA, Prof. Cyndy Ning (cyndy@hawaii.edu).  Separate from the paper, a cover page should include: (1) title of the article (2) contact information (e-mail, school address, phone number) of all authors (3) designation of the lead author who will be the primary contact author. 

All submitted papers will be sent to the CLTA Monograph Committee for anonymous review.  Manuscripts should be no longer than 30 single-spaced pages, and should adhere to the “JCLTA Guidelines for Submission of Manuscripts” posted on the CLTA website: http://clta.osu.edu/jclta.htm.

 

Important Dates:

August         15,  2006:  Deadline for submission

September    15,  2006:  Notification of review results

December    15,  2006:  Deadline for submission of camera-ready full paper

 

For information and questions, please contact Mien-hwa Chiang (mhchiang@sas.upenn.edu).