Problems of Reading Comprehension In Learning Chinese As A Second Language Among Undergraduates of Chinese Studies in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

Several Chinese language teaching and learning centres are being established in Nigeria and around the world. There are Chinese government-funded institutions such as the Confucius Institutes in addition to Chinese language courses being taught through universities, colleges, private institutions as well as individual tutoring services. Learning a second language involves physical, intellectual and emotional commitment in order to successfully understand and interpret linguistic messages. However, certain problems could hinder understanding while learning a second language like Mandarin (Chinese Language). This study investigated the problems of reading comprehension in learning Chinese as a second language in Nigeria among students of Chinese Studies Department in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Schemata theory of reading comprehension was employed as the theoretical framework of this research. The study surveyed fifty (50) Chinese Studies students by administering copies of questionnaire on them. Findings of this study revealed that the major problems students face in the study of Chinese language as foreign language are lack of adequate knowledge of Chinese vocabularies, reading stress and anxiety, wrong reading habits and lack of adequate infrastructures for reading. This study suggests that the government, the university authorities and language schools should provide adequate reading facilities to aid proper reading comprehension. Also, the language students should be counselled in order to diagnose their reading problems for appropriate solution.