Abstract
Much effort has been paid to enhance language learning through the building of self-learning resources and materials – such as online quizzes and videos for self-paced learning. Traditional class or face-to-face time, however, does not benefit much with this focus of content development.
The supervisors have the belief that technology should greatly change face-to-face language teaching as well. We would thus like to propose the development of new language learning tools that target at making language classes fun and interactive.
The development team will work collaboratively with the co-supervisors who are experienced language teachers of various languages to make sure the tools meet every need of language teaching. What is more, the co-supervisors will make concrete language learning packages (e.g. a few language learning field trips) using the new tools. These packages benefit students as well as showcase to other language teachers how these tools can be applied.
The new tools take advantage of latest technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Speech-to-Text/ Text-to-Speech functionalities. Most of the technologies above work in multi-languages and we will ensure the tools serve the teaching of as many languages as possible, such as French, Spanish, Japanese on top of Chinese and English.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
Much effort has been paid to enhance language learning through the building of self-learning resources and materials. Traditional class or face-to-face time, however, does not benefit much with this focus of content development. The supervisors have the belief that technology should greatly change face-to-face language teaching as well. We have developed the new language learning tools that target at making language classes fun and interactive.
Activities, process and outcomes
The new learning tool, uReply Lingua which enables classroom oral drills employing speech-to-text technology as a way to quickly judge accuracy of students’ performance has been developed. It takes advantage of latest technologies to serve the teaching of as many languages as possible. Several courses from Yale-China Chinese Language Centre, Department of Chinese Language and Literature, English Language Teaching Unit and Faculty of Medicine have adopted this tool. Positive feedback has been collected from teachers and students. uReply Go is another tool that has been upgraded to version 2 in 2018 and a series of learning field trips were developed.
Deliverables and evaluation
The new tool called uReply Lingua has been developed and there are a number of user cases from various departments with positive feedbacks. Another tool called uReply Go which has been upgraded to new version also has a series of learning field trips developed by the teachers.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
uReply GO, was disseminated to a wide audience in and outside CUHK in a number of events since its launch. The events include a talk organized by Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research, the T&L Innovation Expo in CUHK, as well as submission to international conferences called ASCILITE and HERDSA. A CUHK Learning Map (http://culearnmap.ureply.mobi) has been launched for CUHK users to participate on it as well as promoted it in the eLCoP interest groups. The uReply Lingua, has been launched and disseminated to Yale-China Chinese Language Center, Department of Chinese Language and Literature, English Language Teaching Unit and Faculty of Medicine in the CUHK.
