HomeThe Trinitian Researchervol. 12 no. 1 (2024)

Relationship Between the Listening and Reading Competency and Academic Performance in Mandarin: Enhancing Students’ Foreign Language Proficiency

Jen Ray Y. Liang

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

Learning Mandarin poses unique challenges for Filipino students due to the contrast between the Filipino's Austronesian linguistic background and Mandarin's tonal and logographic systems. This study investigates the relationship between the listening and reading competencies of 191 tertiary students and their academic achievement in Mandarin classes. Using a descriptive approach, the researcher determined the listening and reading competencies of the students based on the results of their HSK Level 2 exam and correlated these with the student's final grades in the Mandarin course. Using Spearman rho, the study revealed that there is no significant relationship between the reading and listening skills of the students and their academic achievement in their Mandarin classes. The result implies that the student's achievement is not solely based on their ability to listen to or read Mandarin but may be influenced by other learning parameters.



References:

  1. Ahmad, I. A., & Abidin, M. J. Z. (2020). Developing an Alternative Listening Comprehension Test to Benchmark Malaysian Undergraduates’ Listening Performances. International Journal of Instruction, 13(2), 677. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.13246a
  2. Alias, N., & DeWitt, D. (2022). Effectiveness of a Gamification Application in Learning Mandarin as a Second Language.  Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 19. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2022.19.2.7
  3. Alkhaldi, A. A., & Taouis, H. B. (2020). Creative Use of second Language Theories and Creative Language Learning: Some Considerations. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(12B), 8536–8543. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.082664
  4. Al-Nafisah, K. (2019). Issues and Strategies in Improving Listening Comprehension in a Classroom. International Journal of Linguistics, 11(3), 93. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijl.v11i3.14614
  5. Arustamyan, Y. (2019). Modern Approaches to Assessing Reading Comprehension. Theoretical & Applied Science, 78(10), 645. https://doi.org/10.15863/tas.2019.10.78.119
  6. Bao, Y., & Liu, S. (2021). The Influence of Affective Factors in Second Language Acquisition on Foreign Language Teaching. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 9(3), 463. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2021.93030
  7. Bui, H. P., Nguyen, L. T., & Nguyen, V. T. (2023). An investigation into EFL pre-service teachers’ academic writing strategies. Heliyon, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13743
  8. Chan, K. T. (2021). Embedding Formative Assessment in Blended Learning Environment: The Case of Secondary Chinese Language Teaching in Singapore. Education Sciences, 11(7), 360. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11070360
  9. Chen, W., Liu, D., & Lin, C. (2023). Collaborative peer feedback in L2 writing: Affective, behavioral, cognitive, and social engagement. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1078141
  10. Chen, Y. (2023). Teaching Chinese characters to non-native speakers: A scoping review [Review of Teaching Chinese characters to non-native speakers: A scoping review]. SHS Web of Conferences, 174, 1029. EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202317401029
  11. Chinese Testing International. (n.d.). https://www.chinesetest.cn/HSK
  12. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2010). CHED Memorandum Order No. 23, Series of 2010: Guidelines for the inclusion of foreign languages in higher education curricula. Retrieved from https://ched.gov.ph
  13. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2017). CHED Memorandum Order No. 23, Series of 2017: Policies, Standards, and Guidelines for Internationalization of Philippine Higher Education. Retrieved from https://ched.gov.ph
  14. Dong, Y., Wu, S. X.-Y., Wang, W., & Peng, S. (2019). Is the Student-Centered Learning Style More Effective Than the Teacher-Student Double-Centered Learning Style in Improving Reading Performance? Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02630
  15. Duyen, T. M. T. (2024). Exploring Phonetic Differences and Cross-Linguistic Influences: A Comparative study of English and Mandarin Chinese pronunciation patterns. Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 14(07), 1807–1822. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojapps.2024.147118
  16. Fabra, L. R., Liu, X., Chen, S., & Wayland, R. (2021). Production of Mandarin Tones by L1-Spanish Early Learners in a Classroom Setting. In Cambridge University Press eBooks (p. 273). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108886901.011
  17. Fan, Z., & Liu, J. (2022). Correlation Analysis Between Teachers’ Teaching Psychological Behavior and Classroom Development Based on Data Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.905029
  18. Gan, K. C., Lai, Y. Y., Soo, Y.-P., Eng, S. B., & Yeap, C. K. (2022). Indirect Learning Strategies of Mandarin as A Foreign Language Learners During Online Learning in COVID-19 Pandemic Period. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v11-i3/14992
  19. Gonulal, T. (2020). Improving Listening Skills with Extensive Listening Using Podcasts and Vodcasts. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 7(1), 311–320. https://doi.org/10.33200/ijcer.685196
  20. Jawas, U. (2020). Cultural Diversity and its Influence on English Teaching and Learning in an EFL Context. International Journal of Instruction, 13(4), 559. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.13435a
  21. Kan, M. S., & Ito, A. (2020). Language Cognition and Pronunciation Training Using Applications. Future Internet, 12(3), 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi12030042
  22. Laméris, T. J., & Post, B. (2022). The combined effects of L1-specific and extralinguistic factors on individual performance in a tone categorization and word identification task by English-L1 and Mandarin-L1 speakers. Second Language Research, 39(3), 833. https://doi.org/10.1177/02676583221090068
  23. Li, M., Zhang, N., & Qiong, J. (2020, January 1). The Study of Foreign Language Ability Rating Scale Applied to Military English. Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Education, Language and Inter-Cultural Communication (ELIC 2020). https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.201127.078
  24. Liu, N. (2022). Integrating intercultural activities into teaching Mandarin for international students in China. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.972733
  25. Ma, X. (2024). Enhancing language skills and student engagement: investigating the impact of Quizlet in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. Language Testing in Asia, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-024-00275-3
  26. Marks, L. (2025, April 24). How to ensure equitable grading practices | Turnitin. Turnitin. https://www.turnitin.com/blog/equitable-grading-practices-that-improve-fairness-in-education
  27. Masrahi, N. (2023). Sociolinguistics of Saudi Vision 2030: Paradigm Shift Through English Faculty’s Perspectives of Translanguaging at a Saudi University.
  28. Osborne, D. (2020). Codeswitching practices from “other tongues” to the “mother tongue” in the provincial Philippine classroom. Linguistics and Education, 55, 100780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2019.100780
  29. Peng, Y., Yan, W., & Cheng, L. (2020). Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK): A multi-level, multi-purpose proficiency test. Language Testing, 38(2), 326. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265532220957298
  30. Pengelley, J., Whipp, P. R., & Malpique, A. (2024). A testing load: a review of cognitive load in computer and paper-based learning and assessment. Technology Pedagogy and Education, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/1475939x.2024.2367517
  31. Pamintuan, C. F. (2021). Reducing the Impact of Pandemic on Chinese Language Education in the Philippines through the Localization of Chinese Teachers. International Journal of Language Education, 5(4), 271. https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v5i4.19320
  32. Rohaniyah, J., & Nasrullah, N. (2022). The Issue in Assessing Listening: What Listening Aspect May Be Problematic Assessed Trough the Utilization of Technology. International Journal of English Education and Linguistics (IJoEEL), 3(2), 84. https://doi.org/10.33650/ijoeel.v3i2.3009
  33. Safitri, M., Wulyani, A. N., & Suharyadi, S. (2021). The correlation between students’ reading and listening score in a standardized test of TOEFL. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengkajian Ilmu Pendidikan E-Saintika, 5(2), 127. https://doi.org/10.36312/esaintika.v5i2.472
  34. Sukarto, A. R. W., Renata, E., & Moira, S. (2019). Contrastive Analysis between Chinese and Indonesian Phonology and Implementation on Conversation Class. International Journal of Culture and Art Studies, 3(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.32734/ijcas.v3i1.1390
  35. The Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK). (n.d.). http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/hsk/105146.htm
  36. Valizadeh, M. (2021). The effect of Reading Strategies instruction on EFL learners’ reading performances. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 9(S1-May), 74–80. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v9is1-may.4002
  37. Varatharaj, A., Botelho, A. F., Lu, X., & Heffernan, N. T. (2020). Supporting teacher assessment in Chinese language learning using textual and tonal features. In Lecture notes in computer science (pp. 562–573). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52237-7_45
  38. Zhang, H., Kim, S., & Zhang, X. (2022). A comparative study of three measurement methods of Chinese character recognition for L2 Chinese learners. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.753913
  39. Zhang, Z., Wang, L., & Qu, Y. (2025). The interplay between positive lifestyle habits and academic excellence in higher education. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04630-4
  40. Zhao, H. (2022). A Study on the Correlation Between College Students’ English Listening Anxiety and Academic Achievement. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 25. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyac032.047.
  41. Zhao, K. (2023). The Application of Local Folk Culture in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language in an Intercultural Context. Journal of Education and Educational Research, 3(3), 34. https://doi.org/10.54097/jeer.v3i3.9546