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Although Chinese has become one of the most influential second/foreign languages in the world, teaching Chinese as a foreign/second language (CSL/CFL) abroad faces great challenges. M-learning and mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) display great advantages to facilitate second language learning, including CSL/CFL. However, most research was related to English as a second language (ESL) learning. Although mobile-assisted CSL/CFL learning has developed rapidly and steadily, most of these studies were conducted in mainland China and published in Chinese, which was very difficult for non-Chinese speakers to understand. Therefore, researchers should make more efforts to study mobile-assisted CSL/CFL learning abroad. With this in mind, a systematic literature review was conducted to determine the status and trends of this topic. Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 28 articles published between 2010 and 2022 were selected from Scopus and WoS databases. Publication information, research methodology, participant characteristics, mobile technologies, and research findings were summarized and reported accordingly. This review also addressed the limitations of previous research, based on which the related researchers and practitioners could make more efforts to focus on the weaknesses of mobile-assisted CSL/CFL learning.

In the domain of first and second language (L1/L2) acquisition, Morpheme Order Studies (MOS) encapsulate a body of influential research. This study specifically aimed to (1) assess the accuracy of nine grammatical morphemes used by Chinese learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in their compositions, (2) investigate the factors affecting the accurate use of these morphemes among Chinese EFL learners, and (3) explore the interventions implemented by their instructors to assist the Chinese EFL learners in accurately using these intricate grammatical constructs. Employing the Target-Like Use methodology, the data were collected from the essays of 108 high school learners in Kunming, Yunnan, China, to ascertain the order of their accuracy in using these morphemes. Subsequently, a semi-structured interview was conducted with five EFL instructors and 15 tested learners to delve into the factors influencing their proficiency with specific complex morphemes and the application of instructional interventions used by the instructors. The findings of the study revealed that the learners did not consistently adhere to Krashen’s hypothesized natural order; rather, they exhibited idiosyncratic acquisition patterns. Particularly, it was noteworthy that there was a relatively low accuracy observed in the usage of certain morphemes, such as irregular past and 3rd person singular –s (features absent in the learners’ native language). Furthermore, factors contributing to the diminished accuracy of these specific morphemes include the learners’ mother tongue interference in their use of these morphemes, syntactic and semantic complexities, motivational factors, environmental factors, and limited output of specific morphemes. Additionally, the research uncovered various interventions such as peer review, storytelling, and incorporating songs employed by the EFL instructors to assist the Chinese EFL learners in using these challenging grammatical morphemes correctly. This study provides valuable insights for EFL students, instructors, curriculum developers, and textbook editors.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between attitude, learning orientation, motivation, and mastery of the Chinese language among trainee teachers by using Gardner and Lambert’s social psychology model and Gardner’s psychological model of learning. A total of 181 trainee teachers were selected to answer a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The findings indicated extrinsic motivation was related negatively to Chinese language skills and achievement. Intrinsic motivation and integrative orientation were related positively to Chinese language skills, whereas intrinsic motivation, integrative orientation, and motivational intensity were related positively to Chinese language achievement. In addition, integrative orientation, instrumental orientation, and attitude toward learning situations were positive predictors of the motivational intensity of the trainee teachers. Therefore, this study provides a model to the Institute of Teacher Education on the factors that need to be considered to motivate trainee teachers in mastering the Chinese Language.

Background: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development proposed global equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all children. The quality of early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs helps shape children’s minds, attitudes and behaviors, and has short and long-term effects on a child, a family and a country. In Malaysia, the government has formulated some policies and laws to protect children’s rights. However, ECCE is facing some challenges. The purpose of this study is to investigate parents’ perceptions of the quality of ECCE programs implemented by Malaysian government. Methods: A mixed method was used to collect data on parents’ perceptions of ECCE policies in selected states in Malaysia. The questionnaires, (P1/POL) from the research project “Development of a Comprehensive and Integrated Model of Quality Malaysian ECCE”, were distributed among 629 respondents who have a child in a preschool, and 22 participants were randomly selected to take part in five focus group interviews Results: The key findings of the study revealed 68% parents were not familiar with ECCE Malaysian government policy, however 84.3% stressed it is important for the government to educate them about ECCE. Thus findings indicated that the majority of parents lack awareness of the ECCE policies and quality of early childhood care and education programs related to the policies remain the issue. While interviewing the focus group ,most of them were not aware of ECCE and pointed out parents are stressing children’s academic learning in particular preschools. Conclusions: It is concluded that parents’ awareness regarding the ECCE program must be part of the policies and needs to improve. It is recommended that the government of Malaysia should supply more information on ECCE policies to parents and focus on policy implementation. Moreover, the quality of ECCE programs should be improved based on the parents’ perceptions.

This study examines the effects of Liushu-based instruction on the motivation and intended learning efforts. Beginners of Standard Chinese from Laos were assigned to the experiment group and the control group. The Liushu-based instruction in the experiment group was carried on for ten weeks. It was found that Liushu-based instruction has a positive effect on learners’ motivation, especially for Standard Chinese learners’ Ideal L2 Self and L2 learning experience. In addition, Ideal L2 Self showed a mediation effect between Liushu-based instruction and intended learning efforts. The article also provides several suggestions for the use of Liushu in Chinese character teaching.

Background: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development proposed global equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all children . The quality of early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs helps shape children’s minds, attitudes and behaviors, and has short and long-term effects on a child, a family and a country. In Malaysia, the government has formulated some policies and laws to protect children’s rights. However, ECCE is facing some challenges. The purpose of this study is to investigate parents’ perceptions of the quality of ECCE programs implemented by Malaysian government. Methods: A mixed method was used to collect data on parents’ perceptions of ECCE policies in selected states in Malaysia. The questionnaires, (P1/POL) from the research project “Development of a Comprehensive and Integrated Model of Quality Malaysian ECCE”, were distributed among 629 respondents who have a child in a preschool, and 22 participants were randomly selected to take part in five focus group interviews Results: The key findings of the study revealed 68% parents were not familiar with ECCE Malaysian government policy, however 84.3% stressed it is important for the government to educate them about ECCE. Thus findings indicated that the majority of parents lack awareness of the ECCE policies and quality of early childhood care and education programs related to the policies remain the issue. While interviewing the focus group ,most of them were not aware of ECCE and pointed out parents are stressing children’s academic learning in particular preschools. Conclusions: It is concluded that parents’ awareness regarding the ECCE program must be part of the policies and needs to improve. It is recommended that the government of Malaysia should supply more information on ECCE policies to parents and focus on policy implementation. Moreover, the quality of ECCE programs should be improved based on the parents’ perceptions.

Background: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development proposed global equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all children . The quality of early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs helps shape children’s minds, attitudes and behaviors, and has short and long-term effects on a child, a family and a country. In Malaysia, the government has formulated some policies and laws to protect children’s rights. However, ECCE is facing some challenges. The purpose of this study is to investigate parents’ perceptions of the quality of ECCE programs implemented by Malaysian government. Methods: A mixed method was used to collect data on parents’ perceptions of ECCE policies in selected states in Malaysia. The questionnaires, (P1/POL) from the research project “Development of a Comprehensive and Integrated Model of Quality Malaysian ECCE”, were distributed among 629 respondents who have a child in a preschool, and 22 participants were randomly selected to take part in five focus group interviews Results: The key findings of the study revealed 68% parents were not familiar with ECCE Malaysian government policy, however 84.3% stressed it is important for the government to educate them about ECCE. Thus findings indicated that the majority of parents lack awareness of the ECCE policies and quality of early childhood care and education programs related to the policies remain the issue. While interviewing the focus group ,most of them were not aware of ECCE and pointed out parents are stressing children’s academic learning in particular preschools. Conclusions: It is concluded that parents’ awareness regarding the ECCE program must be part of the policies and needs to improve. It is recommended that the government of Malaysia should supply more information on ECCE policies to parents and focus on policy implementation. Moreover, the quality of ECCE programs should be improved based on the parents’ perceptions.

The difference in family socioeconomic status (SES) is a common fact in modern society. The differentiation of family SES will affect the development of children, this phenomenon has attracted the attention of domestic and foreign researchers. The discussion on the relationship between family socioeconomic status and children's academic achievement has attracted much attention in the academic community, but existing research results are inconsistent. Little research is related to whether family socioeconomic status influences the relationship between parental involvement and children's literacy development. The purpose of the quantitative study is to investigate whether family SES including family income and parents' education level moderates the relationship between parental involvement and children literacy development. Participants comprised 388 children aged 3 to 6 years in Chinese and their parents. The results show family income directly moderated the relationship between parent-child literacy activities and children's literacy achievement. Mother education moderated the relationship between parent-child literacy activities and literacy achievement directly. The relationship between home literacy materials and literacy achievement was moderated by mother education either. However, there is no significant moderating effect of a father's education on the relationship between parental involvement and children's independent literacy practice as well as literacy achievement in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is about the importance of the expected achievement of preservice Chinese language teachers based on their orientation, attitude, and motivation in teaching education programs. The cluster sampling and random sampling methods were implemented to select the samples from 16 Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM). A total of 389 respondents were selected in the study and the data was analysed by using Smart PLS 3.0 software. This study applied a two-stage analysis in a reflective-formative way to analysis the multidimensional constructs on the learning situation. The findings showed a significant positive relationship of teachers' integration orientation, instrumental orientation, and attitudes towards learning situations with their Chinese language achievements. The motivation of intensity acted as a mediator factor and showed a partial positive effect in the relationship between integration orientation, instrumental orientation and attitudes towards learning situation with Chinese language achievement. It is due to relationship between motivation and positive attitude as well as the orientation of integration has shaped the integration motivation in the socio-learning model. Thus, the results of the study can be used as a reference source of multivariate relationship study between the orientation, attitudes, motivation, and achievement of future refractive-formative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study aimed to determine the influence of support from the school culture and classroom environment in improving soft skills amongst students. Moreover, the study explored different soft skills, school culture and classroom environments based on gender and type of schools. This study used a quantitative approach by using surveys to gather information. A total of 400 students from three different types of schools were chosen using random sampling. The three types of schools were National Secondary Schools, Religious Secondary Schools, and Technical and Vocational Secondary Schools around Selangor and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. Data were analysed using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 18. Results confirmed the distinctions of the school culture and classroom environments with the soft skills based on the gender and type of schools. SEM analysis corroborated that the school culture and classroom environment contributed to the development of soft skills. Therefore, schools should come up with programs and approaches to improve the soft skills amongst the students to be proficient in various fields in parallel with the rapid growth of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese Malaysians retain a distinct Chinese identity in a multicultural nation and highly appraise the ethnic-based and cultural importance of the Chinese language. Based on a social psychological perspective, this study employs a survey method with multiple-choice and open-ended questions to examine Chinese identity and the issues of Chinese language from the micro and macro level in two different education systems. By comparing two contrasting educational systems of Independent Chinese Secondary Schools (ICSS) and National Secondary Schools (NSS), this paper with 890 respondents argues that the Chinese identity is constructed through the different degree of learning, using and understanding of Chinese language in the students' respective educational contexts. Results of statistical analysis reveal significant higher score in NSS sample with a more salient Chinese identity despite having a disadvantaged learning environment for the Chinese language. The comparative analysis sought to provide significant justification and discussion of the Chinese identity construction of Chinese secondary school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to explore students' mistakes in noun components. Students need to master these in order to gain more understanding in their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The data was collected through grammar tests and questionnaires among 300 students in the rural area in Hulu Selangor, Malaysia. Based on the findings, most of them failed to answer correctly 70% of the grammar test and tended to make mistakes in singular and plural nouns, collective nouns and possessive nouns. It was found that students' performance in grammar components has a close relationship with family income. Most students who come from families with low incomes tend to make more mistakes in grammar and vice versa. Fun activities in learning grammar, watching films with English subtitles and learning English songs were among the suggestions to improve students' understanding of noun components. This finding showed that students' understanding of grammar could be developed through various student-centred activities and teachers' strategies in teaching grammar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]