One Way to Against Sinophobia: Untangling the Ideology Formation in a Chinese Language Course

• In Event: Repositioning Learners: Transformative Case Studies in Relationship and Identity Development

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase Sinophobia and discrimination against Asian-looking people. This study investigated the representations of China in a crucial place that American people get to know China: university-level Mandarin Course. By utilizing the theories of “Official knowledge” and “Mediated action,” this study uncovered that the formal curriculum provided positive images of China and encouraged a positive attitude towards China via comparing the “New China” with the “Old China” and America. Due to the instructors’ teacher/textbook-centered pedagogy, this pro-China ideology was taught repeatedly in the enacted curriculum. However, how students utilized this ideology in thinking about China and responding Sinophobia also depended on the students’ previous experiences and knowledge of China.

Author

• Ye Tian, University of Pennsylvania