A Crowdsourcing Approach to Chinese Vocabulary Learning

Abstract

The fast development of new technology, particularly web-based andmobile technology, has been transforming ways how languages aretaught and learned. The current study examines the use of Memrise, acrowdsourcing spaced repetition program, by college students ofChinese, and its effects on Chinese character learning. The findings ofthe study demonstrate the effectiveness of the program. The study hasalso identified important factors and conditions that should exist inorder for the use of the program to be successful. Based on the findingsof the study, suggestions are made for language teachers in regards tousing Memrise or similar programs in vocabulary teaching. Eventhough the current study focuses on Chinese character learning, thefindings of the study can be applied to any other languages.