Enhancing Chinese Listening Proficiency through Digital Applications: A Case Study of Thai Primary Students Using the Hong En Literacy App

บทคัดย่อ

Listening is one of the most challenging skills for Thai primary students learning Chinese, due to limited exposure to authentic spoken input and insufficient classroom time for listening practice. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Hong En Literacy App in enhancing Chinese listening proficiency among Thai primary school students. A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 60 students from Grades 3 and 4 at a public primary school in Chiang Mai Province, divided equally into an experimental group using the app and a control group receiving traditional instruction. Data were collected through pre-test and post-test focused on Chinese listening skills along with classroom observations to record engagement and interaction. The results revealed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in post-test scores (M = 70.50 vs. 41.17, p < 0.05), Beyond score improvements, the Hong En Literacy App facilitated learning through its interactive features, including speech recognition, gamified activities, and animated content. These elements enhanced student engagement, supported self-paced learning, and allowed for repetitive practice tailored to individual needs -key components of self-regulated learning. For teachers, the app offers a scalable, curriculum-aligned tool that supplements classroom instruction and reduces learner anxiety during oral tasks. These findings underscore the potential of curriculum-aligned digital tools to close skill gaps in foreign language learning at the primary level. The integration of the Hong En Literacy App not only supports measurable learning outcomes but also demonstrates a scalable solution for schools aiming to enhance Chinese language education through technology.