Innovation in Language Learning

Using the SaaS system is one of the most convenient and modern ways of teaching foreign languages. In the Chinese 4 Business project (C4B) this system is the key product dedicated to entrepreneurs from Europe who are concentrated on learning business Chinese. The SaaS system enables to use all educational resources everywhere and anytime they need. Finally the outputs of C4B project (language course, cultural and business guide and B2B platform) might be used with any browser or application. SaaS enables to treat the learning process as a service and what is crucial, the entire teaching material is in “cloud”.

C4B develops four key outcomes: language course, guide - oriented on cultural and business diversity in China, business platform for B2B and SaaS system. These results are complementary to one another. The first is a collection of multimedia educational materials to enable SMEs representatives self-education in the field of Chinese business language. The second is a repository of materials presenting in a simple and intuitive way, how to effectively conduct business in China. The third one, is a platform for practical application of the knowledge focused on language and business issues. Finally, the fourth outcome is a system processing the above-mentioned products in "cloud".

The key conception of the project is an integration of the products which are interrelated. In example, language course is linked in the content from the cultural and business guide. On the other hand, content from both sides: language course and the cultural and business guide might be used in B2B platform. The idea was to give an opportunity to entrepreneurs to simply use educational materials for business purposes, in example, an entrepreneur may create his own business card using ready phrases and words from those products. Everything of course in Chinese.

Language course is prepared in line with the three methodologies: CLIL - for simultaneous learning of Chinese language and business issues; micro learning - to affect the way of selection (or "batching"), teaching materials; mobile learning to prepare the material, to make it possible for presentation on mobile devices.

It’s worth to emphasized that the content in the language course and cultural and business guide before had been prepared was consulted with entrepreneurs. Thanks to such solution, entrepreneurs may not only learn Chinese and business culture of China, but also can create a company profile in the B2B platform of ready-made templates. As a result, the prepared material not only meets the learning objectives, but is also extremely practical.