The framed dialogue method which has been used for improving the teaching of the Chinese language at the University of Wisconsin since 1968 is described, and examples are given. The advantages of this method over pattern drill are discussed. (RM)

"Xiangsheng," a Chinese oral art form, are written and performed using idiomatic, colloquial Beijing speech and thus provide excellent material for studying spoken Chinese. Suggestions for preparing xiangsheng as teaching materials and teaching xiangsheng in the classroom are offered. Chinese character transcription, pinyin transcription,…