Attitudes, Motivation, and Cultural Identity in Learning an Asian Language as a University Entrance Exam Subject in Europe (88518)

Session Information:

Session: On Demand
Room: Virtual Video Presentation
Presentation Type: Virtual Presentation

All presentation times are UTC + 9 (Asia/Tokyo)

This study investigates the attitudes, motivation, and cultural identity factors influencing the learning of Chinese as a newly introduced subject within Ireland's Leaving Certificate curriculum. The research examines how students and teachers navigate the challenges of integrating an Asian language into a traditionally European-dominated framework.

A mixed-methods approach was employed, with quantitative data collected from 106 students through structured questionnaires, capturing their motivations, attitudes, and perceived challenges. Descriptive statistics revealed trends in motivation and cultural identity. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered from in-depth interviews with 8 students and educators, focusing on their experiences with the curriculum. Thematic analysis identified key issues, including difficulties with cultural questions in exams and the lack of standardized preparation materials. Findings highlight three major challenges: (1) students struggle with exam questions that require cultural knowledge, posing a barrier for those without a strong background in Chinese culture; (2) the absence of standardized textbooks for exam preparation exacerbates learning difficulties; (3) bridging the gap between secondary-level Chinese and university study is difficult due to misalignment between localized teaching and international or Chinese educational standards. Despite these challenges, interest in Chinese is growing, especially among students from non-Chinese backgrounds, signaling potential for wider promotion of Chinese in Ireland.

The study recommends developing culturally sensitive teaching resources, improving exam materials, and aligning educational standards to support student progression from secondary to higher education. These findings provide valuable insights for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers to foster inclusive and effective Chinese language education in Ireland.

Authors:
Borui Zheng, University College Cork, Ireland


About the Presenter(s)
Borui is currently a Chinese language instructor at University College Cork, Ireland.

See this presentation on the full scheduleOn Demand Schedule


A Note to Presenters

To enhance academic profiles and showcase research, we encourage all presenters and co-presenters to include links to their public LinkedIn, ResearchGate profile, and research websites. Presenters may update their bio for their presentation by completing the form linked below by October 22, 2024.
- Presenter Information Update Form
Submitted changes will be reflected on November 01, 2024

Additionally, presenters should also update their IAFOR account details if there have been any changes to affiliations or biographies.
- https://submit.iafor.org/my-account/edit-account


Virtual Presentation


Conference Comments & Feedback

Place a comment using your LinkedIn profile

Comments

Share on activity feed

Powered by WP LinkPress

Share this Presentation

Posted by Clive Staples Lewis

Last updated: 2023-02-23 23:45:00