THE MANDARIN ORAL MASTERY PROGRAMME AS PERCEIVED BY NON-NATIVE LEARNERS

Background and Purpose: Pinyin is required in learning Mandarin. The challenge of Romanised Pinyin is that learners must decipher the meaning of words based on the change of tone. Communication research is often conducted without accounting for the effects of the change of tone in learning a language. With the aim of avoiding miscommunication while strengthening awareness, Campus Buddies Programme was employed to provide tone practice for learners and consequently explores the effectiveness of the intervention. Methodology: This quantitative classroom-based research gathered information through the administration of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to 32 Mandarin Level 1 learners identified through purposive sampling. The students studied five topics from the syllabus. A total of 10 native speakers who scored A in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) mentored the learners during the programme. The participants were instructed to answer both pre- and post-tests. Part A consists of demographic details, whereas Part B focuses on the effectiveness of questions and Part C consists of 30 questions of content learned by the respondents. The data were then analysed using SPSS 26 software. Findings: The respondents demonstrated a positive response towards the programme and suggested further improvement ideas such as prolonging the training session and adding more topics and oral activities. The results implicated the programme as a motivator for oral fluency. Many non-native speakers can benefit from conversation with Mandarin native speakers because it is a strong indicator and sound oral mastery strategy. Contributions: This research provides insights into the effectiveness of the current programme in motivating students’ oral learning. The outcome is essential in determining the Mandarin conversation strategy. More studies adopting different variables are proposed to explore correlations from different perspectives in order to improve students’ oral learning. Keywords: Tonal pronunciation, native speakers, non-native speakers, foreign language instruction, Mandarin conversation. Cite as: Chua, N. A., Soon, G. Y., Ibrahim, M. Y., Che Noh, C. H., Mansor, N. R., Embong Eusoff, A. M., Abdul Rashid, R., & Shen, M. (2022). The Mandarin oral mastery programme as perceived by non-native learners. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 7(1), 1-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss1pp1-23

It All Connects

The COVID-19 pandemic forced society to reevaluate the role of technology in the blink of an eye, and virtual learning environments became a necessity rather than an option. Even those instructors who were accustomed to remote learning had to reevaluate its best practices. World language teachers especially were forced to consider how to best provide their students the opportunity to practice the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. With communication being the essence of foreign language instruction, it was of utmost consideration as to how it could transition effectively online. While there are many tools available for online teaching, not all of them are suitable for the world language class. Using connectivism as a framework, the authors propose that a single tool, Flipgrid, can be used to develop communicative proficiency and has the potential to enhance 21st century skills. This chapter will describe Flipgrid, its advantages and limitations, and offer three sample activities.

The problem of choosing universal tools for foreign language teaching in conditions of changing educational paradigms

Introduction. The article presents a retrospective analysis of tools for teaching foreign languages in the context of changing educational paradigms, as a reaction to the dominance of the new approach formulated as a result of the evolution of the digital model within foreign language instruction. The purpose of the article is to justify the choice of universal tools for teaching foreign languages, relevant to the modern educational paradigm, the main characteristic feature of which is responsible self-education (learner autonomy). Materials and Methods. To achieve the aim of the study, the following research methods were used: general research methods including dialectical, analysis and synthesis of scholarly literature, comparisons and analogies, reviewing, summarizing information obtained from modern academic sources, and special research methods containing system and comparative analysis, etc. The study was carried out in line with the concept of informatization of education and followed communicative, competence, contextual, learner-centered and activity-based approaches to foreign language instruction. Results. Firstly, the author substantiated the need for accepting the fact that in the conditions of mass industrialization, the educational ecosystem is transferring to a new educational paradigm, consequently, it is necessary to transform the very mechanism of organizing educational process, in particular, foreign language instruction. Secondly, a retrospective analysis of foreign language teaching tools in the context of changing educational paradigms has been conducted, as a reaction to the dominance of the new approach formulated as a result of the evolution of the digital resource model within foreign language instruction, namely SCALL-, MALL- and RALL-approaches. Thirdly, the author has put forward a hypothesis about a universal tool for teaching foreign languages, relevant to the modern educational digital competence paradigm. Conclusions. The author argues that at the present stage, virtual (electronic) educational platforms can be adopted as universal tools for teaching foreign languages relevant to the modern educational paradigm, the main characteristic of which is responsible self-education (learner autonomy), the practice of using those is quite common for Russia, including conditions of autonomous education. In the medium term, mobile training tools can be considered as universal, however, it is necessary to systematize the practice of testing them in educational settings of various levels. In the long term, products ‘generated’ by RALL evolution, including learning tools with artificial intelligence, can be considered as universal tools for teaching foreign languages. Taking into account the fact, that such products as chat bots are just beginning to be used for educational purposes, it is assumed that they will become understandable, adaptive and, as a result, universal digital tools of foreign language instruction including autonomous learning only in the distant future.

Authentic media texts in the professional training of students studying international relations

Introduction. The article examines the problem of using authentic media texts in the professional foreign language instruction of students studying international relations. The purpose of the article is to identify the main advantages and controversial aspects of using foreign media texts, to propose a step-by-step algorithm for their analysis, as well as recommendations aimed at neutralizing their impact on students. Materials and Methods. For this study, the following methods were used: analysis of scholarly and theoretical literature and authentic teaching materials, survey and questionnaires, analysis of empirical data and their systematization. The empirical study was conducted over two years. The research sample consisted of university students from nine groups (n = 79) studying advanced German as a second foreign language at MGIMO University of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Results. The article summarizes the experience of studying the process of professionally oriented foreign language teaching, built on the basis of authentic media texts. The advantages of their application are revealed: the texts of foreign language media are available, relevant, and diverse in style and genre characteristics. They are considered as a source of cultural and professional-relevant information. Their implementation has a positive effect on the development of all language skills and types of speech, affects the development of verbal and non-verbal speech, and increases motivation. The negative aspects include the following: foreign texts often have an ideological orientation, consequently, they are able to influence the recipient’s opinion, their consciousness and subconsciousness, manipulate ideas about events and phenomena of the surrounding reality. The proposed algorithm for analyzing the media text includes the following stages: evaluating the mass media, analyzing the subject matter of the text, considering the historical period of its writing, identifying the main realities, hypotheses and argumentation of the author, and ideologized structures. The final stages are comparing the source with texts in a foreign or native language, building a personal position, and mastering lexical and grammatical means of expression. Conclusions. As a result of the study, with the aim of using the advantages and leveling the negative impact, recommendations were proposed and an algorithm for analyzing the media text was developed. The implementation of this algorithm allows students to preserve their cultural identity, and prepare for professional communication.

Poly- and/or Multiculturality of Future Teachers in Foreign Language Instruction: Methodological Facet

The article considers some methodological approaches that underlie the research and study of questions connected to education and cultivation of polyculturality and multiculturality of / with future teachers in foreign language instruction in higher education. In particular, the focuses are with the study and discussion of the culturological and axiological approaches to complement synthesis and analysis, induction and deduction, etc. It is believed that it is philosophy, which seeks to act as a coordinator of interactions between others and their own - the implementation of the subjects’ understanding of their practical value, normative and cognitive behaviors in the general cultural space. To this part, philosophical thinking converges with the social action theories, where the purpose is to create a productive exchange of meanings, values ??and concepts between subjects in an interaction, in which such subjects are seen ‘engaged agents’ rather than ‘puppets’ of the society.

Pedagogical framework for poly multicultural education of foreign language students seeking a degree in teaching

The research aims to explore and establish the ways of creating pedagogical framework for (i) popularizing the idea of poly-/multiculturalism, and (ii) forming relevant students' skills and abilities in foreign language instruction; to determine the extent to which the engaging mentoring teacher in the educating role may influence their poly-/multicultural competence. To this end, poly-/multicultural competence is seen prerequisite of a foreign language teacher's professional competence. Experiment is the main method of the research. Assessment of the experiment effectiveness was carried out with the involvement of surveys/questionnaires, conducted in stages, along with observation as a method applied. The obtained data confirmed the key research hypothesis: the pedagogical framework for the formation of poly-/ multicultural competence with students seeking their bachelor’s degree to become teachers of a foreign language connects with mastering two or more foreign languages while intensifying the poly-/multicultural component of education. The main findings result in the contemporary need for formation of a FL teacher’s poly-/multicultural competence regarded as the improvement in foreign language proficiency, basic communication skills in a poly-/multiethnic environment, following the proactive positioning of such teacher.

Adoption of Team Coaching Competencies for Innovative Translation and Foreign Language Instruction: Polylingual and Polycultural Dimensions in Higher Education

The contemporary world is subject to waves of highly rated turbulences and demand volatility in the market of educational services. In the recent decades, Ukraine as a developing state has witnessed varied response from educators, students, observers, bloggers as to the content and quality of education. The paper aims to elaborate the surface scratching recommendations for the development of an educational policy, which may be eligible for adoption at universities, endorsing modernisation of content and structure of higher education inside and outside Ukraine by means of developing, growing and applying coaching mind-set for teaching and learning processes. First, this refers to growing efficiency in communication models by foreign language (FL) teachers (irrespective of the field) and foreign language instructors (teaching foreign languages, languages for specific purposes in foreign languages, and translation) in giving lectures and moderating polycultural and polylingual classes. Second, it links to fostering culturological, axiological, intercommunicative values for polycultural communication in various languages, if applicable, between the teacher and the student and vice versa, the teacher and the teacher, the student and the student, etc. Team coaching may be treated one of the fastest growing disciplines in the coaching profession; and for the higher education, it is becoming increasingly important Team coaching competencies as hard skill of a modern FL / LSP teacher may enable a U-turn in the educational market as viewed in the light of demotivated students, losing interest in an academic degree, or gaining qualifications within the university walls. Team coaching defined as partnering in a co-creative and reflective process with a team (class) on its dynamics and relationships in a way that inspires them to maximize their abilities and potential in order to reach their common purpose and shared goals, may well fit into class instruction of the modern era.

Pedagogical Framework For Polyculturalism in Higher Education: Foreign Language Instruction

The article highlights the theoretical and pedagogical frameworks for polyculturalism and multiculturalism as the foundational values attributable to future foreign language teachers in general and teachers, or instructors of languages for specific purposes, in particular. The findings substantiate the importance of pedagogical framework for poly- / multiculturalism given the fact that the created poly- / multicultural and polylingual environment of higher educational institution as a principle condition in value chain education may ensure the formation of poly- / multicultural personality of a foreign language teacher and LSP instructor. That becomes possible with the help of growing their socio cultural identity while students master the system of knowledge, concepts and ideas about poly- / multiculturalism in the poly- / multicultural environment of their classroom and improve social communication skills. It is stated that the complex of pedagogical conditions may well promotepoly- / multiculturalism for future teachers of foreign languages and LSP instructors. It is underlined that pedagogical framework for polyculturalism in a foreign language classroom, aiming to teach philology students, rests on the following: (i) construction of training process in regards to foreign languages on the integration principle of educational disciplines with existing poly- / multicultural component according to tasks and the basic components of poly- / multiculturalism; (ii) application of interactive technologies for the formation of socio- cultural and poly- / multicultural competence, which includes bilingualism and poly- / multilingualism (didactic conditions); (iii) creation of a poly- / multicultural educational environment; (iv) dialogical interaction in the course of socio-cultural activities (educational conditions) inter alia.