The influence of Chinese character handwriting diagnosis and remedial instruction system on learners of Chinese as a foreign language

Abstract

This study designed and developed a Chinese character handwriting diagnosis and remedial instruction (CHDRI) system to improve Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) learners’ ability to write Chinese characters. The CFL learners were given two tests based on the CHDRI system. One test focused on Chinese character handwriting to diagnose the CFL learners’ errors in the stroke order and their knowledge of Chinese characters, while the other test focused on the spatial structure of Chinese characters. Sixty-five participants, who had a strong desire to learn Chinese characters, voluntarily participated in this study. The results revealed that the CHDRI system enhanced the CFL learners’ ability to write Chinese characters and to understand the spatial structure of Chinese characters, especially Sinosphere CFL learners. Moreover, it was found that remedial instruction materials not only reduced the amount of time the teacher spent coaching CFL learners in Chinese language learning but also facilitated the teacher's ability to provide feedback to individual learners.

Keywords:

• Chinese as a foreign language (CFL)
• Chinese language testing systems
• Chinese handwriting test
• spatial structure test for Chinese character
• adaptive remedial instruction system

Acknowledgements

This paper was sponsored in part by ‘Aim for the Top University Project’ of National Taiwan Normal University, and the National Science Council, Taiwan, ROC under Contract No. 101-2511-S-003-035-, 101-2511-S-003-056-MY3, 102-2622-S-003-001-.

Notes

1. Remedial instruction in this study was defined that a system provided CFL students who have temporarily fallen behind in their studies with adaptive remedial teaching materials according to their errors in the stroke order and the spatial structure of Chinese characters identified by handwriting recognition algorithm.

2. Sinosphere refers to a grouping of countries and regions that are currently inhabited with a majority of Chinese population or were historically under Chinese cultural influence: it is a neologism, particularly associated with areal linguistics. (cited form http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indosphere).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hsien-Sheng Hsiao

Hsien-Sheng Hsiao is now a professor in the Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development of the National Taiwan Normal University. He received his PhD in information science from the National Chia-Tung University in Taiwan. His research interests mainly focus on game-based learning, ubiquitous learning, innovative technology for education and cloud-based computing systems. He is also a dean of the Office of Research and Development of the National Taiwan Normal University.

Cheng-Sian Chang

Cheng-Sian Chang received his PhD from the Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Taiwan. His research interests include agent-based systems, computer-assisted language learning, mobile learning, game-based learning and education cloud.

Chiao-Jia Chen

Chiao-Jia Chen is an MS candidate of the Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development, National Taiwan Normal University. His research interests include computer-assisted language learning and mobile learning.

Chia-Hou Wu

Chia-Hou Wu is pursuing his PhD in the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan. His research interests include distributed computing, mobile ad-hoc network protocols, learning diagnosis and assessment.

Chien-Yu Lin

Chien-Yu Lin is a PhD candidate of the Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan. His research interests include intelligent classroom, mobile learning, game-based learning and education cloud.