The Handbook for TCSOL Certificate Examinations is the textbook for anyone who would like to take the certificate exams, pass the exams, and obtain the TCSOL certificate. The handbook aims to help readers and test-takers become equipped with the comprehensive knowledge and skills of a qualified international Chinese language teacher.

The book includes four core modules and one supplemental module with several developmental and interactive learning units in each module. In every unit, the book presents three learning steps: 1) an introduction through analysis of real-world cases of international Chinese teachers that elicit readers’ reflections and discussion of the unit topic, 2) a study guide of the unit topic, including knowledge, principles, key terms, and potential challenges for learners, and 3) the application of knowledge to practices through discussion of more cases.

In this book, the case analyses are the key components. The 88 cases in the book are categorized as either problem-solution or case results analysis. Different types of cases have different analytical frameworks and methods.

The Handbook for TCSOL Certificate Examinations is particularly suitable for teachers, volunteers and other professions who would like to teach Chinese to speakers of other languages in overseas Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms.

Dr. Liu earned his Ph. D. in Applied Linguistics in 1996 at Ohio State University. His research areas include second language acquisition, language policy, curriculum and standard development, teacher training, and language pedagogy. He has published extensively in the area of intercultural communication, communicative competence, and language education. He has published more than 10 books and 100 papers to date. A sought-after motivational speaker, Dr. Liu has given more than 100 plenaries and invited speeches in more than 30 countries since 2000. He has been invited many times to serve as judge of the “National English Speaking Contest for College Students” and the “China Bridge Competition” and has been interviewed and reported by world-renowned public media, including Voice of America (VOA), Chinese Central Television (CCTV), China Education Television (CETV), China National Radio (CNR) and Sina.com. As the senior consultant at the Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) since 2006, Dr. Liu led the research and development of Standards for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, which was published in 2007. He also led the translation of A Common European Framework of Reference for Languages-Learning, Teaching, Assessing. In addition, Dr. Liu has been the chief editor of a book series published by the University of Michigan Press about teaching and researching writing for 15 years.

Dr. Jun Liu is the Vice Provost for Global Affairs, Dean of International Academic Programs and Services, and Professor of Linguistics at Stony Brook University. He is the Vice President of ISCLT (International Society of Chinese Language Teaching) and is currently on the board of TIRF (The International Research Foundation of English Language Education) and AIEA (Association of International Education Administrators). As an international leader in the field of language education, Dr. Liu became the first Asian and nonnative English-speaking President of TESOL International (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. 2005-2007).