Willingness and Influencing Factors in Online Chinese as a Second Language Learning: Insights from University Learners

Abstract

The advent of the 5G era has provided new opportunities for Chinese online education. Nevertheless, the current online Chinese education model is still in the exploratory stage and the learning effect has not been fully evaluated. The purpose of this study is to explore the willingness of Chinese language learners at a public university in Malaysia to participate in online Chinese courses and the factors affecting their learning outcomes in an online environment. Using the snowball sampling method, the study conducted online qualitative interviews with 24 members of the Chinese Language Club. Discourse analysis was performed using Nvivo software to uncover key factors influencing the effectiveness of online Chinese learning. We found that learners' positive inclination toward online Chinese learning stems from its flexibility and rich resources, while weaker engagement is associated with a lack of interactivity, focus, and learning atmosphere. The study also identified three key factors: interactivity, technical support, and content design. The findings provide practical guidance and theoretical references for the development of Chinese as a second language education online.