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Article published In:
Linguistic Landscape
Vol. 7:3 (2021) ► pp.285–313

The linguistic landscape and materials development

Learning Chinese in Auckland

| The University of Auckland
ORCID logo | The University of Auckland

Despite the wide acceptance of the contributions of linguistic landscape (LL) research to sociolinguistic analyses, models of how the LL can be exploited to practise specific features of the language system have been lacking. In this study we focus on Mandarin Chinese, an important community language, to document the development of LL-based materials to practise language-specific elements of the linguistic system (such as understanding the hierarchical organisation of characters, decoding characters, identifying tones, and distinguishing different writing systems), in addition to cultural elements. Beginning with extensive local fieldwork to compile a dataset of Chinese-language signs, materials were developed using the content of signs considered to be representative for this context. Employing a MALL (Mobile-Assisted Language Learning) approach, materials were piloted with learners of Chinese. The results of this practical engagement are discussed, and we end with key recommendations for educationalists concerning the use of the LL as a resource for language acquisition.

Keywords: linguistic landscape, materials development, Chinese language, Chinese characters, out-of-class language learning, MALL, lexico-grammar, New Zealand
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The Linguistic Landscape as a pedagogical resource
  • 3.Learning Chinese characters
  • 4.Materials design for mobile learning with the Linguistic Landscape
  • 5.Methods
    • 5.1Guiding objectives
    • 5.2Stages of materials design
      • Stage 1: Selection of fieldwork locations for Activity 1
      • Stage 2: Development of materials for Activity 1
      • Stage 3: Selection of the fieldwork location and development of materials for Activity 2
      • Stage 4: Review of materials
      • Stage 5: Piloting of the materials
  • 6.Discussion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 11 March 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ll.20016.buc
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