Empowering Mandarin Speaking Skills: High School Students’ Journey with Mobile-Flipped Learning

Abstract

In the post-pandemic era, the framework of distance education and online teaching has blazed a new trail in the educational landscape. Simultaneously, in the current transformation of the educational paradigm, flipped learning has gained remarkable recognition in the language education field. The present study aims to investigate the impact of mobile-flipped learning on the Mandarin speaking skills of Thai Grade 12 students and their perceptions of using mobile-flipped learning to promote the Mandarin speaking skills. 38 secondary students participated in a 9- week mobile-flipped learning course, assessed by pre- and post-test and perception questionnaires. The results showed substantial improvements in vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and pragmatic competence, particularly for the lower intermediate and upper intermediate proficiency levels. Participants generally praised the flexibility and interactivity of the model, though challenges related to self-discipline, self-directed learning, and technological barriers were noted. The findings of the study clearly indicate that mobile-flipped learning is facilitative in sharpening Mandarin speaking skills. The present study hence recommends bespoke support mechanisms in dealing with challenges for varied proficiency levels. Future research should shed light on how to reduce speaking anxiety, instill cultural understanding, and scaffold self-regulated learning to maximize the effectiveness of mobile-flipped learning in various learning environments.