Brush-marker-pencil (BMP) method implementation in teaching Chinese character writing as a foreign language, 2019

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Zho

Identifier: b7929094

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate Communication program. The holdings are bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

Dates

Creation: 2019

Creator

Zhou, Yunlin (Author, Person)
Sanford, Rebecca (Thesis advisor, Person)
Cipriani, Frank D. (Frank Domenico) (Thesis advisor, Person)

Language of Materials

Although the language of the thesis is primarily English, some segments of the text have been written in both English and Chinese.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

1 Items (print book) : 58 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Additional Description

Abstract

Learning Chinese character writing as a second or foreign language is a challenging experience for native English speakers according to research reports. They are likely frustrated when they are writing Chinese characters for classwork, homework, and quizzes or tests. This research uses the phenomenological approach to implement and examine the process of teaching and learning Chinese characters writing through a Brush-Marker-Pencil (BMP) method in Chinese language classes as a part of intercultural communication. This study discovers that with the three different writing instruments which are Chinese water-ink brush, colored marker, and a regular pencil all being used in teaching and learning Chinese character writing, there are some distinct and important elements behind and in control of the process of the BMP method, such as symbolic interactionism element, Scaffolding element and Spaced Repetition element. Based on those elements, the BMP method is carefully analyzed through the Spiegelberg's the "Seven Essential Steps" of phenomenology to proceed with the observations, analyses, and interpretations of BMP method, as well as to find the possible benefits and drawbacks of the BMP method. This study asserts that there is an intercultural conflict arise [sic] from American students' English pencil writing habit with Chinese character writing. Although this phenomenon is not easily noticeable, it can be observed through psychological factors such as anxiety and motivation, etc. Through BMP's mind-eyes-hands connection practice, students' cultural conflicts are reduced which help reduce their frustrating symptoms when they are writing Chinese characters. To that end, the BMP method study attempts to be a cultural, physical and mental friendly method for Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) learners to use in practicing Chinese character writing.

Keywords: Symbolic Interactionism, Phenomenology, Brush-Marker-Pencil (BMP), Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL), Chinese character writing, Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), Scaffolding, Spaced Repetition, Mind-Eyes-Hands Connection.