A Study And Analysis On The Use Of Foreigner-oriented Chinese Mobile Learning Software In Classroom Teaching

Under the impact of the "lifelong learning" and "ubiquitous learning" concepts,mobile learning,which integrates modern technology and centers on the needs of learners,has gradually received increasing attention.Research on mobile learning in China started relatively late,but it progresses rapidly.Only a small number of research on this aspect have focused on language teaching,usually on classroom teachings of English and Chinese as foreign languages,and no study has been performed for its application in comprehensive courses.There are a few universal problems existing in the teaching of Chinese language in Malaysia.For example,there is a lack of target language environment and teaching resources,and insufficient time for students to revise their studies.Mobile learning software allows students to touch,listen to,write and practice,and its application into classroom teaching can effectively overcome the above-mentioned problems.However,there is a general lack of understanding on software functions,how to find the right learning software,what type of software are appropriate for different kinds of students,and how to encourage students to use the software continuously and outside of the classroom.By focusing on the university students who took the elective Chinese language course at the Kelantan Campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia and students from Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs who took the short-term Chinese language intensive course,this thesis describes the surveys and interviews that were conducted to investigate the difficulties,causes and methods of learning Chinese language,as well as the outcomes of software-assisted teaching and preferred software functions among Malaysian students.The thesis also describes in detail the methods of using software for assisting classroom teaching as implemented by the author,and investigated the feasibility of using foreigner-oriented Chinese language mobile learning software in classroom teaching.The main parts of the thesis are its Chapters 3,4 and 5.Chapter 3 provides an evaluation of five types of software used by the author during the process of teaching and subsequently recommended a number of high quality software to help people to quickly identify the software that is suited to their personal needs.Chapter 4 describes the needs assessment of the application of foreigner-oriented Chinese language mobile learning software in classroom teaching,and through hands-on fieldwork,it was proven that mobile learning software can effectively overcome the difficulty of learning the language among students,enrich their learning methods,and make up the limitations of other teaching methods.Chapter 5 describes the needs of specific functions of foreigner-oriented Chinese language mobile learning software among the learners.It was found that different learners have different preference for software functions.Specifically,genders and learning durations were found to affect the learners' preference for software functions.Among the different types of software,the use of dictionary-type Chinese language mobile learning software was the most prevalent,and dictionary-type software which has comprehensive functions was the most popular.Apart from these,Chapter 6 presents an example of the use of mobile learning software in phonetic teaching,and demonstrates in detail the use of phonetic software by the author in the process of teaching.The results showed that the pronunciation and speaking skill of the students improved dramatically with the use of mobile learning software.This thesis combines the theory of mobile learning with hands-on teaching practice,and fills the gaps in the literature on the application of mobile learning in comprehensive courses of language teaching.It was proven that the effect of using mobile learning software in classroom teaching was significant and such a practice could thus be promoted.Teachers should have an in-depth understanding of the functions of different software as well as the specific software functions needed by different learners,and plan sequentially for the introduction of mobile learning software into Chinese language teaching.However,it should be emphasized that mobile learning software serves only as a teaching aid in the classroom.In addition to guiding the students on the use of mobile learning software in the classroom,teachers should also cultivate the habit of reviewing the lesson after class among the students.