Gloria Shu Mei Chwo (HungKuang University, Taiwan)
Abstract
We report a groundbreaking initiative aimed to enhance an existing General Education Center cultural awareness course for English non-majors at a Taiwan university, using cutting edge technology. Students responded to a pre-survey showing strong English conversation needs and low VR experience. The principal researcher designed a three-week intervention coteaching with a Singaporean artist who is the expert in VR painting. A total of 101 L1-Chinese students were trained to work in groups creating 3D paintings using Open Brush 3D painting in Meta Quest 2, and they worked on a report in English. Quantitative measures based on a pre- and post-intervention Cambridge test showed highly significant gains in English proficiency, especially in interactive communication. Qualitative data from students' reflective essays showed a great impact on the development of knowledge about VR and intercultural awareness. The findings demonstrate how CEFR A2-proficiency students can benefit from a task-based and communicative English teaching approach.
ESBB Featured Session: Research Paper (In person; 25 minutes)
Content-Based Instruction / EMI / CLIL
Primarily of Interest to Teachers of University Students
About the Presenter
Gloria Shu Mei Chwo earned her PhD at the University of Essex in the U.K. and completed her MEd at Seattle Pacific University, U.S.A. Representative publications include "Empowering EIL Learning With a Web 2.0 Resource: An Initial Finding From the Cross-Campus Storybird Feedback Study" and "Curriculum Integration of MALL in L1/L2 Pedagogy: Perspectives on Research and Meta-analysis of MALL Research and Design."
