The Construction of Cultural Values in Chinese Heritage-Language Textbooks: A Critical Discourse Analysis

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher and Student Identity for Bilingual Development

Abstract

Using the critical qualitative content analysis approach, this study aimed to investigate how the discourses of cultural values were permeated in Chinese HL textbooks used in community-based Chinese heritage language (HL) schools in the United States. Data sources included ten Chinese HL textbooks published by the Taiwanese government, using traditional Chinese characters and Zhuyin. Findings suggested that various value orientations were represented in the textbooks. Among these value orientations, harmony, mastery, and affective autonomy were highly emphasized in the textbooks.

Authors

• Tsung-han Weng, University of Kansas

• Kwangok Song, The University of Kansas