A Successful Chinese Learner A Successful Chinese Learner Robert L. Good Robert L. Good

Group Members 毛薇雅 Chloe Mao 張怡嘉 Elisa Chang 陳韋伶 Filicia Chen 李姵瑩 Penny Lee 林韋妏 Nicole Lin 陳冠伃 Hedy Chen 曾郁婷 Eva Tseng

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Introduction Who Robert L. Good ＊ Title: Assistant professor of Department of English of National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology ＊ Education Background: Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign

Introduction Why - He is an expert in linguistic. - He speaks Chinese very fluently. - We want to make sure if staying in Taiwan can learn better Chinese.

Data Collection Methods Questionnaires Face-to-face interview Recording

Learner’s learning conditions Time ＊ Long time Places ＊Hong Kong--Cantonese ＊University in US—Take Chinese courses Reasons ＊Missionary in Hong Kong ＊Find interesting in Chinese

Analysis of learner characteristics age of acquisition attitude motivation pronunciation personality tolerance of ambiguity learner preference learner beliefs

Age of acquisition started to learn Chinese at 19

Attitude Positive Voluntarily spent more efforts

Motivation initially integrative motivation

Pronunciation He didn’t pronounce everything the way here people pronounced “標準國語” pronunciation

Personality His learning personality tend to be extroversion - He likes group and pair interaction. - He likes to talk with his friends who speak Chinese. But sometimes he is inhibition - He also can feel nervous when communicating with Chinese friends.

Tolerance of Ambiguity High tolerance of ambiguity - It is sometimes impossible to avoid. - Try to use context or other kinds of clues to find out what’s going on.

Learner Preference Perceptive Learning Styles - Visual Cognitive Learning Styles - Field Independent (analytical thinking; like math; like to analyze chart) - Field Dependent (like to work with others; get closer to the person who they are interacting with) No particular brain dominance

Learner Belief You must spend time and effort.

Behaviorism Beginning -in class -textbook practice (reading, dialogue, vocabulary)

Behaviorism After - don’t like practice - lack of practice read little - don’t understand listen little- don’t understand lyrics watch little- too fast - just talk

Innatism What is innatist hypothesis The effect of innatist in Dr. Good’s Chinese learning

Innatism What is the critical period (CPH) The effect of CPH in Dr. Good’s Chinese learning

Innatism What is Universal Grammar The effect of the Universal Grammar in Dr. Good’s Chinese learning

Krashen’s ‘monitor model’ The Monitor Hypothesis Input Three Conditions: Time Focus on form Know the rule (Monitor in your brain) Output Time Communication: -Focus on the talk -Seldom stop to ask for the correct meaning of the words -Only discuss the favorite topics with Chinese friends

Krashen’s ‘monitor model’ The Input Hypothesis i→ current competence 1→ beyond your current competence Input ＝ i＋ 1 (Current competences combine beyond your current competence) Cheats and read the English subtitles Too lazy to practice

Krashen’s ‘monitor model’ The affective filter Hypothesis Low motivation Lack of Self Confidence High Anxiety High language learning filter Lower defense from the Students Most input material are blocked in the process High Motivation Full of Self Confidence Low Anxiety Lower filter High defense More input pass the filter According to his learning experience, his affective filter was low. Because he was interested in Chinese, including culture, history and reading. He will never stop learning Chinese.

Interactionism Who he interacts with - people he wants to talk to - they are all native speakers Where he interact with native speakers - native environment

Interactionism How he interacts with native speakers - just talk and focus on understanding and expressing meaning - ask questions about “Chinese”

Suggestions It is better for a second language learner to have many different learning styles. Overcome the anxiety. Have beliefs which are derived from learner’s learning experience or learner’s learning opinions.

Suggestions Second language learning should start as early as possible. Learning styles can be various rather than place restrict on the specific learning methods. Practice a lot to improve language skills.

Conclusion Talk Enthusiastic Spend time and effort! Motivation Perseverance

Thank you for your attention.