Exploring the Grading Scheme for Basic Chinese Vocabulary in Secondary Education Curriculum

The purpose of this study is to explore a grading plan for the basic Chinese vocabulary specified in the 2022 revised curriculum. While the curriculum suggests the number of vocabulary words per subject, it does not specify which words should be learned, leaving authors and teachers to decide. A graded vocabulary list would be useful in these cases.<br/> To achieve this, the study attempts to grade 865 items of basic vocabulary from the 2022 revised curriculum. The primary reference used for this grading was the International Chinese Language Education Standards, with supplementary reference to the HSK vocabulary list. The vocabulary was divided into five levels, and adjustments were made based on the frequency of usage in seven types of high school Chinese textbooks.<br/> The vocabulary was classified into five levels: 102 words for Level 1, 154 for Level 2, 212 for Level 3, 269 for Level 4, and 128 for Level 5. Level 1 contains the easiest words and should be included in both ‘Middle School Chinese’ and ‘High School Chinese’. Level 2 is also recommended for both levels, while Level 3 is mainly for ‘High School Chinese’. Levels 4 and 5 are suited for advanced courses, with Level 5 reserved for ‘Advanced Chinese’.<br/> This study highlights the need for a vocabulary grading system in secondary education, a topic that has been largely neglected thus far. This initial grading provides a useful reference for textbook compilation and teaching, though further adjustments are needed for practical application, such as refining polysemous words and creating a plan for words mentioned in the ‘Introductory Note’.