Prof. ZHU Xinhua, Department of Language Science and Technology

Multimodal reading in Chinese in the digital era: Concepts, competency components, and instructional material design. Chinese Language Education and Assessment Centre, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, 22 May 2026.

Abstract
In the digital era, literacy requires navigating co-occurring modes of information, including images, audio, and video. This paper conceptualizes "online multimodal reading" in Second Language (L2) Chinese, defining how diverse modes interact to construct meaning beyond traditional text comprehension. Crucially, it maps out the core competency components of multimodal reading, emphasizing their integration into L2 Chinese curriculum, teaching, and assessment to foster high-level cognitive processing. Bridging theory and practice, the paper proposes strategic guidelines for designing engaging, pedagogically sound instructional materials. Special emphasis is placed on leveraging Generative AI (Gen AI) to streamline content creation, scaffold comprehension, and facilitate personalized learning experiences. Ultimately, this paper offers a systematic framework—spanning conceptual definitions, competency mapping, and AI-powered material design—to enhance learners' online multimodal reading comprehension and support L2 Chinese acquisition.