The Development of a Language Game: A Supplementary Tool for Chinese Learning in Grade 1-3 during New Normal

Abstract

            This research and development aims 1) to develop a Chinese language game which is used as a supplementary tool for managing Chinese learning class in grade 1-3 2) to evaluate the opinion of instructors on the Chinese language game for grade 1-3 students and 3) to evaluate the satisfaction of grade 1-3 students towards the Chinese language game. The game developing tools are Unity 2019 and MS Visual Studio 2019 (C#). The game development life cycle was divided into 5 phases, which are 1) game requirement specification and content analysis 2) game structure and mechanism analysis 3) game design 4) game implementation and testing and 5) game evaluation. At the final phase of game development, 5 instructors of Saint Joseph Bangna School, the research samples, were invited to playtest and to evaluate the game by a group interview. The interview results revealed that the proposed Chinese language game is an efficient and effective supplementary tool for supporting both on-site and online Chinese classes. The game contents are consistent with the lesson books used by instructors. The characteristic of gameplay is suitable for the students. The game attracted and stimulated students to engage the Chinese lessons and class activities. Moreover, the game enabled students to improve their vocabulary memorization effectively. Additionally, 30 students in grade 1-3 of Saint Joseph Bangna School evaluated the game through the questionnaires. The student’s total satisfaction score towards the game is 4.55 (S.D. = 0.69), which means extremely satisfied. Moreover, the additional students’ opinions revealed that they felt free for learning by playing the game. And, the game enabled them to practice the Chinese vocabulary anywhere, anytime.