ICT application in the teaching of mandarin in Malaysian secondary schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the application of ICT in the teaching and learning of Mandarin in Malaysian secondary schools. This study involves 31 teachers and 90 students from a few secondary schools in Malaysia. A questionnaire is used and data collected is processed by using the SPSS program. Responses are analyzed by using mean and standard deviation to show the teachers’ and students’ opinion, influencing factors, and the effects of ICT applications in the teaching and learning of Mandarin in secondary schools in Malaysia. Inferential statistics, such as the one way ANOVA, is performed to see the differences in the use of ICT application based on social background of respondents. The results show that both teachers and students realized the importance of CALL application in the teaching of Mandarin. Most respondents agreed that ICT application produce more positive effects in helping teachers during the process of teaching and learning Mandarin. However, in applying CALL in the teaching of Mandarin, teachers experience various constraints. The findings show the existence of a significant difference between the frequency of using CALL and the effectiveness of the application of call in teaching Mandarin and teachers’ perceptions and problems.