An Introduction to the Use of Tongue Twisters in Teaching International Chinese Language Education

Abstract

In the vast field of international Chinese language education, the teaching of phonetics occupies a crucial position. Chinese, as a tonal language, the accuracy and fluency of its phonology is crucial for learners. However, traditional teaching methods such as guided reading, demonstrations and moving pictures, while effective, often struggle to stimulate students' interest and engagement. Tongue twisters, as a unique form of language practice that is highly interesting and challenging, can well compensate for this deficiency. This paper firstly introduces the characteristics of tongue twisters and the reasons for choosing tongue twisters, secondly explores the learners' difficulties in learning Chinese phonetics, and finally puts forward the suggestions for the application of tongue twisters in the teaching of basic sounds and rhymes of Chinese phonetics, with a view to providing references to the teaching practice of international Chinese language education.