Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / In this thesis, I pinpoint the challenge of character learning as my research problem, which is the subsequent motivation to explain the background and rationale of my research. I also discuss the theoretical concepts of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in relation to cognitive psychology, the constructivist learning theory and Second Language Acquisition theories. This leads to the presentation of my considerations regarding design principles, strategic approach and other relevant decisions. The multimedia project I designed, named the “Chinese Character Challenger”, a “supplementary courseware for assisting students learning characters”, is an informational and educational-oriented website. It provides learners with the necessary knowledge, hints, tips and sources to cope with their specific learning problems and to achieve their learning potential. It also introduces external resources of learning if learners need further research. The purpose of the website is to assist, to motivate and to further guide students’ learning. To conclude, I have discussed some open issues with regards to adding value in the learning environment.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Currently new teaching and learning paradigms are being called for in response to the ever increasing importance of the electronic media and information technologies, such as computers, in our daily lives and in education. In Language Teaching the reading of literary texts has received a lack of attention. The application developed for this study is an attempt to address this shortcoming. The application contains a reading programme which focuses on a German youth novel, Als aus Janusz Jan wurde by Herbert Somplatski, as well additional supporting texts, both literary and non-literary, and background information. By integrating this reading material into an interactive multimedia web-based computer application, it is hoped that it can be shown how reading can be made more attractive and effective in FLA (Foreign Language Acquisition). The application was designed against the background of current and planned South African syllabi for Second Additional Languages and by taking into account modern cognitive-constructivist learning theories, current requirements for multimedia design and CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) as well as various reading models and strategies. All these aspects regarding the design of the application and how they affect reading in FLA are discussed in this thesis. In addition a few prognostic suggestions are proposed.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / With continuing advances in technology, computer-assisted instruction provides opportunities for individualized, interactive learning. In the research paper, I employed the theoretical framework of CALL and the philosophy of cognitive psychhology to promote learner autonomy in the second language aquisition of Chinese...