Contact
Biography
Ms. Kwan is a Teacher of Mandarin in the School of Education at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology from the University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS), where she specialized in Systems Management and Networking. She later earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) from National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taiwan.
Her master's research employed an experimental design involving learners from different parts of the world who were studying Mandarin online. As part of the study, she developed a web-based online learning platform to facilitate Mandarin language learning and to investigate the effectiveness of technology-enhanced instruction in online environments.
Ms. Kwan's interdisciplinary background in information technology and language education has shaped her approach to integrating emerging technologies into Mandarin language teaching and learning.
Expertise Summary
Ms. Kwan specializes in the integration of educational technology into Mandarin language teaching and learning. Drawing on her interdisciplinary background in information technology and language education, her expertise includes:
- Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL)
- Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI in language education
- Technology-enhanced language learning
- Flipped and blended learning
- Online and digital learning environments
- Instructional design for second and foreign language learning
- Technology integration in Mandarin language education
She is particularly interested in leveraging emerging technologies to create engaging, learner-centred, and effective language learning experiences that enhance communication skills and learner autonomy.
Teaching Summary
Ms. Kwan has gained experience from free teaching to many students as for instance her volunteered job at Taipei Ci Guang temple teaching Mandarin to 19 Vietnamese for a whole year. Her volunteer… read more
Research Summary
Ms. Kwan's research examines how emerging technologies can enhance the teaching and learning of Mandarin as a second or foreign language, with a particular focus on the application of Generative AI… read more
Recent Publications
Ms. Kwan has gained experience from free teaching to many students as for instance her volunteered job at Taipei Ci Guang temple teaching Mandarin to 19 Vietnamese for a whole year. Her volunteer teaching job in Chung-de I-Kuan Tao temple has given her good experience in teaching the Classics & Scriptures Recitation to kids aged between 4-12 years old.
She has been trained in tutoring foreigners in the Chinese Language Center of NCCU in Taiwan while also offering foreigners free courses of KTV Learning Mandarin through songs at NCCU.
She was designated to teach Mandarin as a Second Language in the University of Richmond and this working experience lasted two academic years.
She believes that there are many good reasons why so many people learn Mandarin these days. There are Chinese people nearly everywhere in today's society and it is also a language of business. However, Ms. Kwan thinks that teaching Mandarin is more than teaching a language. It is also about culture and living. She has been teaching Mandarin in several countries including Taiwan, United States, and Malaysia to students from all around the world.
She is currently a board member of FASS School of Education in teaching Mandarin from beginner to advance level.
Modules taught in UNM
Mandarin 1A & 1B
Mandarin 2A & 2B
Mandarin 3A & 3B
Business Chinese
Current Research
Ms. Kwan's research examines how emerging technologies can enhance the teaching and learning of Mandarin as a second or foreign language, with a particular focus on the application of Generative AI in language education. Her current research investigates the comparative effectiveness of AI-powered conversational partners and human interlocutors in developing learners' Mandarin speaking proficiency. In addition to language performance, she explores learners' emotional experiences when interacting with AI, including confidence, speaking anxiety, motivation, trust, and willingness to communicate.
Past Research
Her thesis used experimental designed for a number of students who were located around the world and wanted to learn Mandarin online. Thus, she created an online learning board as a tool provided in the web.
She has also done an action research on developing listening comprehension for Mandarin learners over the internet by having synchronous distance tutoring sessions with students in different countries.
Ms.Kwan's experiences in the University of Richmond in USA and at National Chengchi University in Taiwan was investigating the effects of programmable computer learning programs with Chinese education programs through videos, games, simulations, testing.
As part of her research, she also explored online distance education to promote innovative designed programs with exercises where learners could enhance their creativity and critical thinking. Her experience as an Assistant Professor in research for National Science Council in Taiwan and in the E-learning course gave her an interesting insight about strategies and teaching techniques.
Journals/ Conference Paper
Hwee Ling, Kwan (2009), Online Distance-teaching by using Voicethread Conversation and Voicethread Educator. The 3rd International Chinese Conference for Graduates of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, Shanghai.
Hwee Ling, Kwan (2009), Take Chinese educator as the reader: How to scaffold students online by observing 3 foreigners' experience, challenge of Chinese learning through live lessons online". The 9th Annual Conference of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, Association of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, Taiwan.
Future Research
Ms. Kwan's future research aims to advance the effective integration of Generative AI into Mandarin language education by developing personalized, engaging, and pedagogically sound learning experiences. She is particularly interested in exploring how AI can support speaking development, learner autonomy, and formative feedback while complementing, rather than replacing, meaningful human interaction and evidence-based teaching practices. Her long-term research seeks to establish best practices for the responsible and learner-centred use of AI in second and foreign language education.