Exploring multimedia, mobile learning, and place-based learning in linguacultural education

Abstract

Culture, as the fifth language skill, enables learners to develop into multilingually and multiculturally aware global citizens. The traditional Chinese architecture is as old as Chinese civilization. The wisdom, stories, and cultural elements behind traditional Chinese construction is a valued aspect of Chinese culture. This article introduces a LiveCode based mobile application featuring a virtual tour of two traditional Chinese architecture sites—Nan Yuan and Humble Administrator's Garden. The application is designed by the author for advanced Chinese learners for an immersive linguacultural learning experience. Built-in tools, rollover hints, authentic multimedia resources and useful links of the application effectively integrate culture with language learning. Pedagogical applications, pilot outcomes, implications, and future directions of mobile learning and place-based learning in Chinese linguacultural education are also addressed in this paper.