An Instruction System of Hand-writing Chinese Character for Non-Japanese

Abstract

In general, it is difficult for Japanese language learners of foreigners to master Chinese characters (KANJI). We developed an online instruction system of Chinese characters named "TERAKOYA KANTA" for foreign Japanese learners. This system evaluates the Chinese characters (KANJI) written by a user with a light pen or a tablet, and shows appropriate guidance about it. At first we considered features of Chinese characters seen from foreigners' eyes and realized an evaluation method by using vector information and stroke-speed information. Main features of this system are to be able to accommodate characters having a mistake in stroke order and to support learners not only as a drill of self-practice but also as a virtual teacher until getting up the Chinese characters' features, "HANE (Hook)" and "Harai (Stretch)" and so on. Moreover the effect of this system and learners desire to study is stimulated by using Multimedia. The experimental by 14 students from abroad indicates that our system "TERAKOYA KANTA" has much effective for mastering Chinese characters.