AP Chinese

AP Chinese provides students with the opportunity to develop proficiency in Mandarin Chinese while exploring Chinese culture and society.

Advanced Topics

Reading Comprehension and Literary Texts

Approaching Literary Chinese

Reading in Chinese goes beyond textbooks—students engage with stories, poems, and articles.

Techniques for Better Comprehension

  • Skim the text for main ideas first.
  • Identify keywords and context clues.
  • Pay attention to cultural references and idioms.

Types of Texts

  • Modern short stories
  • Traditional folktales
  • Articles on contemporary issues

Real-World Application

Strong reading skills help you understand news, literature, and social media, opening a window into Chinese society and thought.

Examples

  • Reading a poem by Li Bai in class and discussing its meaning.

  • Understanding a news article about environmental issues in China.

In a Nutshell

Reading authentic Chinese texts builds both language skill and cultural knowledge.