From Simplified to Traditional Characters: Traditional Chinese Character Courseware

From Simplified to Traditional Characters: Traditional Chinese Character Courseware

（《從簡入繁》英文版）

(2008)

Preface

Chinese characters (Hanzi), are the characters used in the Chinese writing system and are cherished as invaluable cultural heritage. With the help of Hanzi, our ancestors were able to pass down their knowledge to us and we could continue this tradition from generation to generation. There are two differentwriting systems of characters: Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Some may find them inconvenient but they will no longer be barriers if we learn them in an appropriate way step by step. We can also admire the beauty of the structures of Chinese characters.

The Chinese Language EducationSection, Curriculum Development Institute, Education Bureau tailor-made a multimedia computer assisted language learning courseware –“From Simplified to Traditional Characters” (also referred as FSTTC) – for students who are newcomers to Hong Kong. This courseware aids them to achieve a better understanding of radicals, strokes, vocabulary derived from characters, Cantonese pronunciation, etc. which are commonly used in Hong Kong.

This courseware allows students to read and learn Traditional Chinese Characters at the same time in the multimedia learning environment. Not only the information about Chinese characters is introduced vividly in text, Cantonese and Putonghua pronunciation of characters and vocabulary can also be listened. To arouse students’ interest, there are two interesting games in this courseware to let them learn and play simultaneously. Besides, there are self-assessment exercises which would consolidate the knowledge of Chinese characters that the students have learnt. We wishour students can learn and master Traditional Chinese Characters with the help of modern language technology and thus adapt to the life in Hong Kong smoothly and swiftly.

Features of the courseware

The “From Simplified to Traditional Characters” courseware has the following features:

1,144 frequently used Simplified Chinese Characters together with their traditional form and explanation

Animated explanation on the methods of charactercreation

Animated illustration on the stroke order of Chinese characters

Cantonese and Putonghua audio playbacks of example words

Cantonese and Putonghua pronunciation transcriptions

“Read and Learn”– for students to learn Chinese characters by reading selected passages

Introduction of some commonly used dialectal terms in Hong Kong

Edutainment games

Self-assessment exercises

Worksheet generator (for teachers’ use)