1. Students’ perspectives of an English-Chinese language exchange programme on a Web 2.0 environment Dr Bin Zou English Language Centre Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University , China [email_address]
2. Introduction Web 2.0 environments (Blog, Wiki, Facebook, Twitter, Second Life, Ning, Glogster, Jing, Weebly, etc) have provided a range of opportunities for second language learners to develop their language skills with other learners from all of the world. Learners can use Wikis to develop writing skills in collaborative activities and help each other correct language errors ( Mak & Coniam, 2008; Arnold, Ducate, & Kost, 2009; Kessler, 2009; Liu & Lee, 2011 ). Researchers have also found that Web 2.0 tools can enhance collaborative language learning in language exchange programmes between two target second languages (Cloke & Absalom, 2007; Webb, 2009).
3. II. The study English-Chinese Language Exchange Programme Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China University of Bristol, UK University of Manchester, UK Platform: China-UK Wikispaces Aim: To help students who are learning English in China and students who are learning Chinese in UK to improve their English and Chinese language learning Tasks: *Discuss interesting topics both in English and Chinese * Help each other correct language errors in their essays
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5. III. Findings (i) Phase One with the University of Bristol, UK The effect of one-child policy in China
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8. (ii) Phase Two with the University of Manchester Communication between two partners after corrections
10. a. Comments on a variety of tasks In the interviews, 80% of participants thought the tasks on Wikis are effective for them to involve in the program. They liked various sorts of tasks which helped them learn a foreign language and culture from each other. Typically, S5 said: “I think it motivates us to participate because we can realise that how the English students learn the Chinese, like we learn another language. I think through this way some students do better than before in learning a new language.” S9 commented that she and her partner provided timely comments on each other’s essays and they got along well with each other.
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