Combining Mobile and Traditional Learning to Learn Mandarin Language

Abstract

There are quite numbers of languages around the globe use by respective native. Among all, the growing popularity of Mandarin Language in numerous countries keeps increasing, partly because of China’s rapid economic growth. Up to date, the Mandarin Language itself is the second most-spoken language in the world, with more than one billion speakers all over the world. Several methods and ways are used by people out there to learn this Mandarin Language. With the current globalization and modern technology era, many smartphone applications offering Mandarin courses started to pop. Those application offers various features, such as (1) game-based application; and (2) teaching and learning application or traditional learning. Each method has their pros and cons. The problem with a game-based application is that users cannot discuss their concerns or ask questions. On the other hand, teaching and learning application relies on the availability of the tutors, therefore less flexible for the user. This paper aimed to develop an application that combines these two methods in the hope to help ease the complexity of learning the Mandarin Language. The result of this paper shows that it’s possible to combine the two methods, by focusing on a conversation-type application equipped with a game to help users with vocabularies.