Among so many important language points in Chinese language, the differences and features are indicated by contrast. If teachers in Chinese language school can apply the contrast method to the teaching properly, it is beneficial to strengthen the impression and deepen the recognition. As a matter of fact, the contrast method can be divided into the inter-language contrast and contrast in language. Both of them are often used in the Chinese language teaching and effectively.

The inter-language contrast means to make contrast and comparison between Chinese language with students’ native languages or the intermediate languages. For example, if the students speak English, teachers can take the examples “She is very beautiful” and 他很漂亮 to find out the differences between two languages. Another contrast is the made between the confusing language points in Chinese language because they are similar in some aspects.

For instance, the differences between 有点儿 and 比较 can be explained by the way of contrast in degree like 这儿的东西有点儿贵 and 这儿的东西比较贵. Teachers can directly tell students the result of the contrast. But it would be better if the students can do some observance, analysis and discussion before being told. It is helpful to encourage the students who go to school study Mandarin to find problems themselves and then solve them initiatively.

The students of the elementary level have a lower language skill. Therefore, if the teachers use excessive Chinese language to explain the rules, they may not understand. It demands the teachers to apply the direct-version method to show the teaching contents directly and vividly. When using this method, you can make full use of the advantages of formulas, charts and teaching aids and so on.

The application of the formulas often make it clear to see and easy to understand. For example, the usage of 有点儿 and 一点儿 is important for the students to understand when they study in China. By using the direct-version method, they can be taught by listing the formulas  有点儿+adj. and  adj.+ 一点儿. In the guidance of the formulas, you can take some examples to explain such as 他今天有点儿不高兴and这件比那件贵一点儿.