Developing and evaluating a comprehensive textbook for teaching Persian to Chinese speakers at the elementary level on the basis of Standard Framework for Teaching Persian Language

Due to the necessity of specialized materials and textbooks for Teaching Persian for Specific Purposes, developing appropriate educational contents for teaching Persian is an essential matter. The matter has been considered here for teaching Persian to Chinese speakers on the basis of a standard framework and considering the needs of Chinese learners of Persian. Accordingly, at the first phase of the present research Standard Framework for Teaching Persian Language (which specifies grammar, vocabulary and functions for each level) and the International Curriculum for Teaching Chinese Language (which specifies objectives, skills, linguistic knowledge, strategies and cultural competence for each level) were used to develop a comprehensive textbook for Chinese learners of Persian at the elementary level. Standard Framework for Teaching Persian Language consists of 61 grammatical, 104 lexical and 55 functional points at the elementary level, while the International Curriculum for Teaching Chinese Language consists of 36 grammatical, 64 lexical and 53 functional points at this level. The above two sources were examined and their common points in the three areas were selected for the intended textbook which came to a number of: 47 grammatical, 68 lexical and 48 functional points. The textbook adopted an integrated approach which drew on "grammar-translation" and "communicative" approaches and mainly focused on selecting the appropriate grammar, vocabulary and function for elementary level Chinese learners of Persian. The textbook was intended for 120 to 144 hours of instruction. The chosen approach was also in line with cultural and education background in the Chinese context which favors collectivism, socialization for achievement, high acceptance of power and authority and overview of Chinese traditional education system. These sources of Chinese culture are often claimed to have an important effect on attitudes and behaviors of Chinese learners. Grammar-translation focuses on form with an emphasis on grammar and vocabulary...