Abstract
In this paper, we present ToneWars, a collaborative mobile game for learning Chinese as a Second Language (CSL). ToneWars provides a learning experience that combines mastery learning, microlearning, and group-based interaction between CSL learners and native speakers. The game explores how unique input modalities, like touch gestures and speech recognition, can improve language acquisition tasks on mobile devices. We report the design motivations and lessons learned through the iterative design process. We believe many insights from developing ToneWars are generalizable to designing productive language learning technology. Through a 24-participant (12 CSL and native speaker pairs) user study, we found ToneWars provides learning benefits for second-language learners and engages native speakers.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
ACTFL: Foreign Language Enrollments in K–12 Public Schools: Are Students Prepared for a Global Society? Technical Report, American Council On The Teaching of Foreign Languages (2011)
Bloom, B.S.: Mastery learning. In: Block, J.H. (ed.) Mastery learning: Theory and practice, pp. 47–63. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York (1971)
De Bot, K.: The psycholinguistics of the Output Hypothesis. Language Learning 46, 529–555 (1996)
Duolingo, http://www.duolingo.com
Edge, D., Cheng, K., Whitney, M., Qian, Y., Yan, Z., Soong, F.: Tip Tap Tones: Mobile Microtraining of Mandarin Sounds. In: ACM MobileHCI 2012, pp. 427–430. ACM, New York (2012)
Edge, D., Searle, E., Chiu, K., Zhao, J., Landay, J.: MicroMandarin: Mobile Language Learning in Context. In: ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 3169–3178. ACM, New York (2011)
Fu, I.-P.: Student approaches to learning Chinese vocabulary. Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2005)
Kam, M., Ramachandran, D., Devanathan, V., Tewari, A., Canny, J.: Localized iterative design for language learning in underdeveloped regions: The PACE framework. In: ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1097–1106. ACM, New York (2007)
Kumar, A., Reddy, P., Tewari, A., Agrawal, R., Kam, M.: Improving Literacy in Developing Countries Using Speech Recognition-Supported Games on Mobile Devices. In: ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1149–1158. ACM, New York (2012)
Tian, F., Lv, F., Wang, J., Wang, H., Luo, W., Kam, M., Setlur, V., Dai, G., Canny, J.: Let’s Play Chinese Characters – Mobile Learning Approaches via Culturally Inspired Group Games. In: ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1603–1612. ACM, New York (2010)
Thorne, S., Black, R., Sykes, J.: Second Language Use, Socialization, and Learning in Internet Interest Communities and Online Gaming. The Modern Language Journal 93(s1), 802–821 (2009)
Hu, C., Bederson, B., Resnik, P.: Translation by Iterative Collaboration between Monolingual Users. In: Graphics Interface, pp. 39–46 (2010)
Lee, L.: Learners’ Perspectives on Networked Collaborative Interaction with Native Speakers of Spanish in the US. Language Learning & Technology 8(1), 83–100 (2004)
McLaughlin, B.: Fostering second language development in young children: Principles and practices. NCRCDSLL Educational Practice Reports (1995)
Morett, L.M., Gibbs, R.W., MacWhinney, B.: The Role of Gesture in L2 Learning: Communication, Acquisition, & Retention. In: 34th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society, pp. 773–778. Cognitive Science Society, Austin (2012)
Rico, J., Brewster, S.A.: Usable Gestures for Mobile Interfaces: Evaluating Social Acceptability. In: ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 887–896. ACM, New York (2010)
Rivera, G., Matsuzawa, C.: Multiple-language program assessment: Learners’ perspectives on first and second-year college second language programs and their implications for program improvement. Foreign Language Annals 40 (2007)
Wang, N.: The Structure and Meaning of Chinese Character and Word. In: Research on Chinese Cognition. Shandong Education Press (1997) (in Chinese)
Xing, J.: Teaching and Learning Chinese as a Foreign Language. Hong Kong University Press (2006)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this paper
Cite this paper
Head, A., Xu, Y., Wang, J. (2014). ToneWars: Connecting Language Learners and Native Speakers through Collaborative Mobile Games. In: Trausan-Matu, S., Boyer, K.E., Crosby, M., Panourgia, K. (eds) Intelligent Tutoring Systems. ITS 2014. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 8474. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07221-0_46
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07221-0_46
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-07220-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-07221-0
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)