Innovation in Language Learning

This paper shows the impact of students using online social media on their smartphones to enhance their learning of Chinese as a second language at university level. It discusses new approaches which can assist Chinese language students to improve their written skills by using Facebook closed groups, transforming otherwise dull and boring work into a fun and engaging exercise.
A case study approach has been taken to investigate the response of typical Chinese language classroom students using Facebook closed groups as a learning tool. Facebook is familiar to students, so they participate readily. Facebook groups allow private real-time collaboration between students during in-class practice and rapid feedback from the teacher. Chinese character recognition and acquisition of vocabulary and grammar is accelerated. Real-world communication skills are boosted through online chats with tutors. Mobile access to historical learning activity means students automatically have high quality “class notes” to build upon when completing coursework assignments.
Results of the study show students were more engaged and interactive in lectures. Real-time participation in and correction of in-class exercises using the social media platform improved students Chinese written and communication skills tremendously.

Keywords: Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (TCFL); computer aided education; classroom interaction; student engagement; ICT Based language teaching and learning approaches;