ISU DAN MASALAH PEMBELAJARAN DAN PEMUDAHCARAAN MENGENALI AKSARA CINA DI SEKOLAH RENDAH JENIS KEBANGSAAN CINA KUCHING [ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN LEARNING AND TEACHING CHINESE CHARACTERS AT CHINESE VERNACULAR PRIMARY SCHOOLS KUCHING

Abstract

This report is part of a study on the development of Chinese character recognition modules. This report focus in the issues and problems in the learning and teaching of Chinese characters among Chinese students and teachers in Chinese vernacular primary schools, Kuching. The purposive sampling is conducted in the selection of seven first-level Chinese language teachers. Data collected using a semi-structured interview and analyzed using keyword thematic techniques. Some of the identified issues in relation to student’s learning are: (1) Unable to recognize the form of characters and meaning of Chinese characters effectively, and (2) Unable to write Chinese characters correctly. While the issues generated in relation to teacher’s teaching are: (1) No emphasis in recognizing and acquisition of the Chinese characters during learning and teaching, and (2) Lack of awareness of the teaching approaches according to the characteristics of Chinese characters. The findings indicated that further studies related to the development of Chinese character recognition modules, reviews of Chinese characters learning in textbooks, the use of appropriate and effective methods to aquire Chinese characters are greatly needed to ensure the quality of the learning and teaching Chinese.