Enhancing Cultural Understanding and Language Learning of Song Ci-Poetry by L2 Chinese Learners in a Hong Kong International Baccalaureate (IB) School through a Virtual Reality Program_ A Systematic Evaluation.docx

Virtual Reality (VR) is becoming increasingly prevalent in education. However, its impact on language learning, particularly in teaching Chinese literature, remains underexplored. This study assessed the impact of a VR program on learning "Green Jade Table: Lantern Festival," a poem by Xin Qiji from the Song Dynasty, among Chinese second language (L2) learners at an international school in Hong Kong. It used a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative interviews with three teachers and a Likert scale survey completed by 76 students online. The findings revealed that the VR program offered an immersive learning experience, enhancing cultural understanding and student engagement. However, it was also noted that there were limitations such as lack of student interaction and emphasis on task meanings. Despite this, scaffolding activities and other VR-integrated classroom challenges were identified. The research highlights the potential of VR as an effective tool for teaching Chinese literature, emphasizing the advantages of using VR to create a more immersive learning experience. It also provides suggestions on how teachers can integrate VR into their teaching methods seamlessly.