5.1.6 Reflecting Real-World Experiences
According to Keller’s (2016) ARCS model of motivation, relevance is a
crucial factor in stimulating learning motivation. Learning activities
designed under the principled eclecticism framework should mirror
real-world experiences, making Chinese language learning relevant to
learners’ lives and ensuring tangible learning outcomes.
In the philosophical concept of ’The mechanic, who wishes to do his work
well, must first sharpen his tools. (工具善其是,必先利其器)’ from
Analects, Book 15, principled eclecticism in Chinese language teaching
serves as a powerful tool for enhancing teaching efficacy. To fully
leverage this tool, cultivating teachers’ expertise in the professional
knowledge of the Chinese language, embedding them in the rich cultural
heritage and cross-cultural competencies, and fostering their ability to
innovatively integrate teaching methods according to situational
demands, emerges as a pivotal goal in Chinese language teacher
education.