Instructor: Yan Yi, Senior Assistant Professor, and others
How many students took the course?
Four classes, with about 100 students in total
What was the class format?
Real-time, interactive live streaming
It seems that you were able to implement various initiatives unique to online language classes. Could you please tell us more about the specific aims and content of these initiatives?
Related to Class Activities
① Active Use of Zoom Breakout Rooms
We actively used Zoom breakout rooms to ensure ample conversation practice and to help new students build stronger connections with each other.
(Specific measures) We prepared a large number of conversational practice exercises and created many opportunities for group practice (in groups of about two to three students).
② Efforts to Make Online Classes Enjoyable
We made various efforts in our class explanations to ensure that students could enjoy the classes without getting bored, even though they were not face-to-face.
(Specific measures) We used props to explain grammar points and incorporated a lot of authentic materials (videos, interesting stories about China and the Chinese language, etc.) into the classes.
Related to Preparation, Review, and Assignments
③ Introduction of a Learning Tool (Quizlet)
We introduced the learning tool Quizlet so that students could prepare and review outside of class at any time on various electronic devices such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones.
(Specific measures) We created vocabulary learning sets and distributed them to students, periodically checked their usage, and provided learning feedback.
④ Emphasis on Reading and Writing (Kanji) Practice
There are many subtle differences between Chinese characters in Chinese and Japanese. To help students learn the differences in characters that are difficult to grasp when typing on a computer, we assigned handwritten homework.
(Specific measures) We had students submit handwritten copies of the text for each lesson. To reduce the burden, we extended the submission deadlines. (Related to communication between instructors and students)
⑤ Establishment of an Official LINE Account
We established an official LINE account to promptly answer students' learning concerns and to increase communication routes between instructors and students outside of SFC-SFS.
(Specific measures) Under the management of the Chinese Language Lab's SAs, we provided homework announcements and answered questions about the day's class content.
Please tell us about the students' reactions and the effects of the course.
According to the results of the SFC-SFS end-of-semester survey, Chinese Intensive 1 received high praise, with 93% of students reporting that they were glad they took the course. Furthermore, over 80% of students answered that the ways of thinking and knowledge learned in the class would be useful in advancing their own research and practice. Here are some of the students' comments.
(Chinese Intensive 1) is a class where the more proactively you learn, the more fun it becomes!
Practicing in breakout rooms was very effective.
The appeal of this class is that you can actively learn Chinese through communication with other students.
In class, we were able to improve each other's Chinese through communication with other students.
In class, I paired up with other students to practice Chinese.
Even in an online environment, the teaching style, which included gestures and hand movements, was very helpful. Including the level of understanding, I feel that it was very fulfilling.
The use of gestures made it very easy to understand!
As a class for students who have not studied Chinese before, even detailed points are explained in an easy-to-understand manner. I also thought the pronunciation practice in small groups using breakout sessions and the in-class work were good.
The teaching was very thorough. New vocabulary, grammar, and other points were explained carefully until we understood them.
I thought the classes that used lecture videos were very good.
Starting with the use of Quizlet and LINE, the Chinese classes were of a higher standard than any other online class.