THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BOARD GAME IN TEACHING AND LEARNING MANDARIN

Abstract

Mandarin learners often face difficulty in constructing correct Mandarin sentence pattern. This study examines the satisfactory level of undergraduate students when playing the Mandarin Sentence Builder board game and the effects of the board game on their sentence construction performance. The participants were selected from three classes which were assigned into experimental groups comprising 96 undergraduates. Data were obtained from pre- and post-writing tests and questionnaire. The questionnaire, measuring satisfactory level on sentence pattern and board game were adapted from Sasidharan and Tan (2013). The board game “Mandarin Sentence Builder†employed after the pre- writing test required players to construct correct sentence patterns within a given timeframe. The experimental group played the board game over three sessions. The results showed significant difference in the pre- and post- writing test scores. Students who initially failed to construct correct sentence patterns were able to organise the five important sentence elements and construct basic sentences correctly after playing the board game. The findings reveal that the Mandarin Sentence Builder board game is a useful teaching and learning tool to assist teachers in enhancing Mandarin learners’ communication skills.