non-Chinese Students Research Articles

Motivasi Belajar Bahasa Mandarin sebagai Bahasa Kedua

The goals of article was to explore students’ main motivation in learning Mandarin as second language acquisition and the difference motivation between Chinese-descending and non-chinese students. There were 276 respondents chosen by purposive sampling from three universities. They were students from Mandarin Department of Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, Darma Persada University, Jakarta, and North Sumatera University, Medan. A cooperation on deciding research instruments was collaborated with Faculty of Tionghoa Language and Literature of Huaqiau University, China. Descriptive analysis was done to explore students’ main motivation in learning Mandarin, continued by different tests to know the different motivation between native and descending students. Research results indicated that the motivation in learning language is low; there is no significant difference between integrative and instrumental motivation. Also, there was no motivation significant different between chinese-descending dan non-chinese students in learning Mandarin. Lecturers should develop their methods of teaching to develop students’ learning motivation in learning Mandarin.

Ethnicity, level of study, gender, religious affiliation and life satisfaction of adolescents from diverse cultures in Hong Kong

This study investigated the life satisfaction of adolescents from diverse cultures in Hong Kong. The total sample consisted of 1644 secondary school students. Life satisfaction was measured by the validated 6-point questionnaire instrument, multidimensional students' life satisfaction scale (MSLSS). The research found that, among the five domains of life satisfaction, the Friends domain received the highest and the School domain received the lowest score from the participants. Significant statistical differences were found in the variables of level of study, gender, student groups and religious affiliation. Students from non-Chinese cultures and associated with religion are reported to have greater life satisfaction than their non-religious Chinese counterparts. There is a strong relationship between religiosity and self-appraised life satisfaction among the student groups. Gender and the level of study are also strong predictors of subjective well-being. Religious non-Chinese female students in the junior level are generally giving more positive self-appraisal report on their life satisfaction than the other groups. In contrast, non-religious senior Chinese male students reported to have the least overall life satisfaction across the domains of MSLSS.

The Effects of Blended Learning Approach through an Interactive Multimedia E-Book on Students’ Achievement in Learning Chinese as a Second Language at Tertiary Level

Almost all higher institutions in Malaysia offer Chinese as a second language (some may consider as a third language) course. Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman offers an elective subject called ’Introduction to Chinese Language I’ to teach the basis of Chinese to non-Chinese educated students. In general, the majority of foreign language is taught face-to-face in classrooms. There are three crucial challenges in learning Chinese as a second language: pronunciation, Chinese writing, and verbal communication skills. Hence, Chinese language is recognized as one of the most challenging and difficult languages to master. Teaching a language in the classroom improves significantly when technology complements and extends the functionality of the traditional methods. In view of the limitations of traditional instruction and e-learning approaches, this paper explores the possibilities of introducing a blended learning approach in TCSL (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language) classrooms at a tertiary level. The focus of this study is to determine the efficiency of the blended learning environment in which instructions are imparted through the blend of existing instructional methods and an interactive multimedia e-book. It also studies the impact on students’ achievement in Chinese language proficiency.

非华人学生学习华人母语教材的汉字教学策略

非华人学生学习华人母语教材的汉字教学策略

Value of Web-Based Learning Activities for Nursing Students Who Speak English as a Second Language

There is an increasing need to address the educational needs of students with English as a second language. The authors assessed the value of a Web-based activity to meet the needs of students with English as a second language in a bioscience subject. Using telephone contact, we interviewed 21 Chinese students, 24 non-Chinese students with English as a second language, and 7 native English-speaking students to identify the perception of the value of the intervention. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) Language is a barrier to achievement and affects self-confidence; (2) Enhancement intervention promoted autonomous learning; (3) Focusing on the spoken word increases interaction capacity and self-confidence; (4) Assessment and examination drive receptivity and sense of importance. Targeted strategies to promote language acculturation and acquisition are valued by students. Linking language acquisition skills to assessment tasks is likely to leverage improvements in competence.

Youths talk about Death: Causes for suicide

This study aims to investigate young people's attitudes towards death and to discover from them the causes for high incidences of suicide among teenagers. A non-probability sampling and a mix method of survey were used. A total of 270 youths aged 15 - 24 from various schools, colleges and hospitals in West Malaysia participated in this study. SPSS was used to analyze the statistic figure for frequency count, Chi-square test for independence was conducted. The findings reveal that young people are open for discussion on the topic of death with their friends and family members. The main factors for suicide were uncovered. More male participants than female participants indicated relationships with the opposite sex as a contributing factor to the suicide problem. Statistically ethnicity was shown to be an important factor. More Chinese students mentioned school work as a cause for suicide than non-Chinese students. The perspectives of young people on the sources of stress for suicide were compared across different family types, namely blended, nuclear and single parent families.

Travel Behavior of International Students at a University in Japan: A Comparison of Chinese and Non-Chinese Students

The purpose of this study is to investigate the travel behavior of international students. Specifically, it is to examine the differences between two groups of students: Chinese and non-Chinese. A mail survey of international students at a university in Japan was conducted. The overall results indicated that international students tended to visit destinations within day-trip distance. A statistical test showed that Chinese students rarely used booking services for car rentals and preferred to stay at tourist hotels; public media was a major source of travel information for them. The non-Chinese students, on the other hand, preferred lodging at campgrounds/cottages and tended to rely on word-of-mouth recommendations of their friends.

The human resource challenge to outward foreign direct investment aspirations from emerging economies: the case of China

The continued influx of foreign investment into China and the growing desire by indigenous Chinese companies to invest abroad have created an unprecedented demand for people who possess competencies to compete successfully in a global economy. Without this pool of human talent, China's economic growth will slow and its outward foreign direct investment aspirations will be thwarted. This paper presents two inter-related studies that can shed light on China's ability to meet this human resource challenge in the years ahead. The first study pertains to the intention of a sample of Chinese university students in Canada to return to work in China upon graduation. Most Chinese students were receptive to the idea of returning to China. The second study examines the willingness of non-Chinese university students to work for Chinese firms overseas or in China. In general, non-Chinese students were more willing to work in the North American operations of Chinese companies and less so in relocating to China. These two surveys are supplemented by in-depth interviews with Chinese who have returned to work in China and those who chose to remain overseas. The implications of these findings, both theoretical and practical, are discussed.