Effects of key-image mnemonics on Chinese instruction for first-grade students' achievement and interest toward Chinese learning. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsai, Meng-Hua; Chang, Li-Yun; Chen, Hsueh-Chih; Lin, Chia-Ling
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational research. Volume 109(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Distributed character learning -- Key-image method for learning Chinese characters -- Learning achievement -- Learning interest -- Instructional methods; Education -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Program Evaluation -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Évaluation -- Périodiques; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Curriculum evaluation; Education -- Evaluation; Periodicals; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101856
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0355

Abstract

Highlights: KIM can be effectively and efficiently integrated into a Chinese class. KIM affords creative materials and concrete procedures for Chinese teaching. KIM enhances both beginning learners' Chinese learning performance and interests. KIM provides long-term effects for Chinese learning for more than 5 months. Abstract: This study examined the integration of the Key-Image method (KIM), a novel mnemonic, into a Chinese curriculum and the effect on improving learning. It is the first Chinese intervention study for this topic. We designed a development trial with 143 first-grade students. After a six-week course, the experimental group ( n = 72) outperformed the comparison group ( n = 71) on both a Chinese achievement test and a Chinese learning interest inventory. The cognitive and affective effectiveness of the KIM held for the tests conducted immediately after learning and the retention tests conducted one week and five months after learning. The results suggest that the KIM, an innovative design, is superior to the traditional instruction that first-language (L1) learners typically experience.