‘A world without borders’ has become a common phrase since the integration of the internet into our daily lives. Now, as ‘metaverse’ is capable of bridging the actual world to the virtual world without seams, Chiang Mai University has come up with a new learning approach that takes place on the metaverse. The Meta YCT Lab Project by CMU Language Institute is working on YCT and HSK study programmes for learners of Chinese that will be offered fully on the metaverse. This will give learners a more engaging learning experience and better effectiveness by bringing the teachers to the students, thus allowing them to have the same interactions as if they were in a real classroom. This project is the result of the collaboration with the Confucius Institute at Chiangmai University, the International College of Digital Innovation (ICDI) and AILC Education.
The Meta YCT Lab Project aims to equip Thai students with Chinese proficiency to be used for further self-improvement or educational pursuits, such as studying in Chinese high schools or universities. The programme’s launch attracted interest from more than 30 students and parents who received advice and were able to try learning the Chinese language and culture in the Meta YCT Lab with the technical support on the tablets and the VR equipment provided by the team from ICDI.
YCT and HSK are international standardised tests of Chinese language proficiency for non-native speakers of Chinese at different education levels, ranging from elementary school to university. They are recognised by both universities and companies. With the incorporation of the metaverse that connects the real world to the virtual one, learners can have hands-on practice and real communication through VR equipment. This will help them to have a better understanding of language context enabling them to learn faster, despite being far away from the actual classroom.
Learning technology and innovation have always been the priority of CMU. They are a key to educational quality improvement and a response to the diversity of learning in the digital era. This way, students can effectively improve themselves and keep up with the ever-changing world and have the skills required in the 21st century.