Quick Nikyuu Grammar Help - をーとして

[Flamehearted]

チャンさんを先生として、中国語の勉強会お開いた

Hi all,

Could anyone explain to me what the above constructions means ?

Thanks,

Martin

[hatisu]

It means "I/We opened a study group where I/We learn Chinese from チャンさん 。"
In other words, チャンさん is a teacher of a study group where I/We learn Chinese .
I hope it is helpful.

[Flamehearted]

That's very helpful - thank you.

So o toshite means "using x as" or "with x as"

[Psy]

Yes, you've got it. From the grammar guide I've been using:

机をテーブルにする (to make a desk into a table what was once a desk is now a table)
机をテーブルとする (to use a desk as a table it's still a desk but it's being used as a table)

Seems like a good nuance to keep in mind, as if you look at the terms in English there can be some overlap. With the Chinese teacher, if I had to extrapolate, I would say that it suggests that the fellow isn't a professional instructor, but rather the de-facto head of the group, and probably the person in the study group who is best at the language.