Revisiting out-of-class L2 exposure: insights from learning Chinese character writing in CFL contexts

As globalisation expands opportunities for engaging with second languages (L2s) domestically, this study re-examines the impact of out-of-class L2 exposure on learning Chinese character writing (CCW) among 146 Vietnamese students in Chinese-as-a-foreign-language (CFL) contexts, utilising a mixed-method approach. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their CCW exposure outside the classroom and participated in a writing-to-dictation test to evaluate their skills. Factor analysis identified two primary dimensions of out-of-class L2 exposure: class-related exposure and social interaction. A significant positive correlation was found between class-related exposure and learners’ performance on the CCW test. Semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants highlighted how internal factors such as learners’ anxiety, confidence, and motivation mediate the relationship between exposure and learning outcomes. These findings emphasise not only the time CFL learners dedicate to exposure but also the type of activities and individual factors that collectively shape the impact of out-of-class L2 exposure. By re-visiting this topic, the study advocates for educational strategies that assist students in monitoring both the quantity and quality of their L2 exposure, particularly by leveraging new technologies to enhance social interaction.