Bridging Cultures through Brushstrokes: A Framework for Chinese Calligraphy Transmission in Thai Educational Contexts
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Abstract
Background and Aim: Chinese calligraphy embodies philosophy, aesthetics, and historical memory. Thailand’s longstanding ties with China, Chinese community, and expanding digital infrastructure offer opportunities for its transmission, yet pathways into formal education remain underexplored. This study develops a localized framework for teaching calligraphy to Thai Generation Z learners.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative thematic synthesis examined nine curated references published from 2022 to 2025 and retrieved through CNKI, Thai-Journal Online, and Google Scholar. Following Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, the study triangulated Chinese scholarship on international calligraphy communication, Thai research on youth media use and primary-level teaching, and international research on digital-native engagement with traditional culture. This targeted corpus does not constitute a systematic review.
Results: Four interconnected pillars emerged: reciprocal cross-cultural communication; a three-tier curriculum adapted to Thai learners; promotion through classroom instruction, digital media, and cultural activities; and institutional support. Five barriers were identified, with inadequate standardized curricula and qualified teachers posing the greatest challenges. The proposed Cultural Resonance Zone identifies shared Buddhist values, indirect communication styles, and aesthetic affinities as resources for culturally responsive teaching.
Conclusion: Sustainable calligraphy education in Thailand requires dialogue and local adaptation rather than one-way cultural export. The framework integrates Generation Z digital-media theory with Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to inform pedagogy and defines the Cultural Resonance Zone as a practical principle for designing Sino-Thai cultural learning. Its recommendations provide a basis for curriculum development, teacher preparation, and coordinated digital outreach across diverse schools and learning contexts, while requiring empirical evaluation in Thai educational settings.
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