Confusion and Chinese character learning. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hong, Jon-Chao; Lin, Chien-hung; Tsai, Ya-hsun; Tai, Kai-Hsin
• Is Part Of: Language learning journal. Volume 51:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Confusion -- Chinese characters -- impasse-driven learning -- homophone -- near-homograph; Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 418.0071
• DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2021.1915365
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-1736

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study explores the relationship between the experience of confusion and the outcomes of Chinese character learning by learners of Chinese as a heritage language (CHL). Based on the claim that impasses triggering confusion can lead to deeper learning of conceptually difficult material, the study employed three impasse-driven tasks. The tasks were designed to trigger a state of cognitive disequilibrium in the participants. After first encountering the tasks in Session 1, the 117 CHL learners were given 1 week to resolve their impasse-driven tasks in their own time for 30 min (limited by the computer system). Afterwards, we announced the correct answer for them to look at for 3 days, and then Session 2 was administered 1 week after the feedback. The results of this study showed considerable improvement in differentiating near-homographs and homophones presented in a sentence, and correcting wrong Chinese characters. The study's results suggest that incorporating well-designed confusing content into Chinese learning may help CHL learners deepen their learning of Chinese characters.