What shapes tertiary learners' experiences and challenges in mobile-assisted seamless vocabulary learning? A case of Chinese as a foreign language

The mobile-assisted seamless learning approach shows great promise in significantly enhancing vocabulary development among second language learners, particularly through artifact creation and engaging activities This study explores the experiences of tertiary-level learners studying Chinese as a For...

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Main Authors: Xiaosheng Zhou, Ying Soon Goh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Acta Psychologica
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825004366
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author Xiaosheng Zhou
Ying Soon Goh
author_facet Xiaosheng Zhou
Ying Soon Goh
author_sort Xiaosheng Zhou
collection DOAJ
description The mobile-assisted seamless learning approach shows great promise in significantly enhancing vocabulary development among second language learners, particularly through artifact creation and engaging activities This study explores the experiences of tertiary-level learners studying Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) using a mobile-assisted seamless Chinese vocabulary learning (SCVL) approach. Specifically, the study examines the perspectives, reflections, and learning processes of CFL learners enrolled in a 16-week SCVL program. The research utilizes a qualitative design with inductive thematic analysis to analyze data collected from semi-structured interviews and reflective journals. The study involved a cohort of 32 intermediate-level students from three Chinese classes, with participants representing diverse Chinese proficiency levels. A purposive sampling method was used to select students who had actively engaged in the SCVL program. Thematic analysis of the data revealed two key themes: (1) affective engagement, which highlights students' emotional involvement and motivation in the seamless learning environment, and (2) issues and challenges, which focuses on the difficulties students encountered, such as technological barriers and frustration with peer reviews. Despite these challenges, the findings indicate that most students found the SCVL approach enjoyable and beneficial in enhancing their vocabulary learning, with many expressing positive views about the integration of mobile-assisted learning tools. This study contributes to the growing body of research on seamless learning by providing in-depth insights into the experiences of tertiary-level CFL learners. It offers novel contributions to the field by addressing the gaps in previous studies that have not fully captured students' perspectives and challenges in using mobile-assisted seamless learning for vocabulary acquisition. The findings have important pedagogical implications, particularly for enhancing the design and implementation of seamless learning environments in language education.
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spelling doaj-art-c5d69d45d6f04269be39266cb86da2842025-08-20T03:20:05ZengElsevierActa Psychologica0001-69182025-07-0125710512310.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105123What shapes tertiary learners' experiences and challenges in mobile-assisted seamless vocabulary learning? A case of Chinese as a foreign languageXiaosheng Zhou0Ying Soon Goh1Corresponding author at: School of Literature and Media, Wenzhou University of Technology, No. 337 Jinhaisan Road, Wenzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province 325000, China.; School of Literature and Media, Wenzhou University of Technology, Wenzhou 325000, China; Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Campus Terengganu, 23000 Dungun, Terengganu, MalaysiaSchool of Literature and Media, Wenzhou University of Technology, Wenzhou 325000, China; Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Campus Terengganu, 23000 Dungun, Terengganu, MalaysiaThe mobile-assisted seamless learning approach shows great promise in significantly enhancing vocabulary development among second language learners, particularly through artifact creation and engaging activities This study explores the experiences of tertiary-level learners studying Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) using a mobile-assisted seamless Chinese vocabulary learning (SCVL) approach. Specifically, the study examines the perspectives, reflections, and learning processes of CFL learners enrolled in a 16-week SCVL program. The research utilizes a qualitative design with inductive thematic analysis to analyze data collected from semi-structured interviews and reflective journals. The study involved a cohort of 32 intermediate-level students from three Chinese classes, with participants representing diverse Chinese proficiency levels. A purposive sampling method was used to select students who had actively engaged in the SCVL program. Thematic analysis of the data revealed two key themes: (1) affective engagement, which highlights students' emotional involvement and motivation in the seamless learning environment, and (2) issues and challenges, which focuses on the difficulties students encountered, such as technological barriers and frustration with peer reviews. Despite these challenges, the findings indicate that most students found the SCVL approach enjoyable and beneficial in enhancing their vocabulary learning, with many expressing positive views about the integration of mobile-assisted learning tools. This study contributes to the growing body of research on seamless learning by providing in-depth insights into the experiences of tertiary-level CFL learners. It offers novel contributions to the field by addressing the gaps in previous studies that have not fully captured students' perspectives and challenges in using mobile-assisted seamless learning for vocabulary acquisition. The findings have important pedagogical implications, particularly for enhancing the design and implementation of seamless learning environments in language education.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825004366Seamless learningChinese as a foreign languageLearning experienceLanguage educationThematic analysis
spellingShingle Xiaosheng Zhou
Ying Soon Goh
What shapes tertiary learners' experiences and challenges in mobile-assisted seamless vocabulary learning? A case of Chinese as a foreign language
Acta Psychologica
Seamless learning
Chinese as a foreign language
Learning experience
Language education
Thematic analysis
title What shapes tertiary learners' experiences and challenges in mobile-assisted seamless vocabulary learning? A case of Chinese as a foreign language
title_full What shapes tertiary learners' experiences and challenges in mobile-assisted seamless vocabulary learning? A case of Chinese as a foreign language
title_fullStr What shapes tertiary learners' experiences and challenges in mobile-assisted seamless vocabulary learning? A case of Chinese as a foreign language
title_full_unstemmed What shapes tertiary learners' experiences and challenges in mobile-assisted seamless vocabulary learning? A case of Chinese as a foreign language
title_short What shapes tertiary learners' experiences and challenges in mobile-assisted seamless vocabulary learning? A case of Chinese as a foreign language
title_sort what shapes tertiary learners experiences and challenges in mobile assisted seamless vocabulary learning a case of chinese as a foreign language
topic Seamless learning
Chinese as a foreign language
Learning experience
Language education
Thematic analysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825004366
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