Research on the Practice of Flipped Class Mode Based on the Platform of WeChat

The main features of mobile application software are recognized as the potential for learning process to be personalized, spontaneous, flexible, and free. Although it may take a longer time to enable systematic learning through mobile phones compared to computers, the learners do receive a greater learning experience of freedom of time and place, so that they can take the advantage of spare time to learn a second language anywhere with a phone in hand. In this paper, by looking at most popular mobile applications—WeChat and its main mobile learning friendly characteristics, the author observes the ways to construct the WeChat-based flipped classroom on both theory and practice aspects. And on this basis, a flipped classroom model supported by the WeChat platform has been constructed. Furthermore, guided by the constructed flipped classroom model, the author carried out an experiment on teaching session in business English class. Fifty students participated in this WeChat-based flipped class experiment to analyze learners’ attitude towards WeChat in language learning. The learning outcomes of two tests—one before WeChat and one after—are compared in this empirical study. The results show that learners think that WeChat gives them more target language exposure and more chances to communicate with teachers and other learners. The results of comparison indicate that WeChat-based flipped classroom can effectively improve the students’ learning outcome.