Abstract:

The aim of this project is to explore the feasibility of using Internet Relay Chat (IRC) to facilitate Chinese language teaching and learning. This article describes procedures for organizing and conducting chat sessions and discusses the benefits and problems of using IRC. It is argued that IRC promotes communication in the target language and that it enhances students' reading and writing skills. However, some general problems such as keyboarding skills as well as some special difficulties with typing Chinese characters exist. More research is still needed.

Author: Tianwei Xie