The development and evaluation of an e-workbook for learning mandarin

With the encouragement from the Vice Chancellor, the number of UiTM students who signed up for Mandarin courses is increasing dramatically. To overcome the problems of logistics, insufficient contact hours, lack of target language environment and the need for a learning tool (courseware) that can capture and enhance learning motivation especially among learners that have no prior knowledge in Mandarin, it is felt that an e-Learning tool should be developed. With this in mind, the researchers created an e-workbook that students can use as a self-learning material. The e-workbook consists of four levels with seven types of exercises in each level. Students are required to read, type in their answers, and they also have an option to listen to the recordings that are included. The general feedback obtained indicated that the e-workbook has managed to help students improve on their language skills. In this paper, a brief description on the development of the e-workbook is given. A brief discussion on the students´ feedback on the e-workbook is also presented.