This talk will demonstrate how linguistic theories can be used in teaching Chinese as a second language. It is argued, based on previous studies, that vowels are optimal tone-carriers and that tones have different lengths. As a result, the metrical properties of pre-nucleus /i, u, ü/ and nucleus-final /i, u, n, ?/ in Chinese syllables do not give rise to a moraic foot formation but, rather, a syllabic foot formation. The syllabic foot formation, in turn, results in Prosodic Words that affect both morphology and syntax of the language. It is further argued that the metrical properties of syllable structure can be effectively utilized in teaching pronunciation, and that the prosodic system constitutes a central part of grammar for the modern Chinese written language.