An Analysis of the Pedagogical Value of Short-Video Platforms in Teaching Spoken Chinese as a Foreign Language: A Case Study of Xiaohongshu in Nanjing

With the rapid development of digital media, short-video platforms have become an important part of everyday communication, especially among young people. In recent years, these platforms have also attracted attention in the field of language education. For learners of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL), spoken Chinese is often regarded as one of the most challenging skills to acquire. Although traditional classroom instruction can help learners build basic language knowledge, it may not always provide sufficient exposure to authentic spoken language used in real-life situations.This study explores the pedagogical value of short-video platforms in teaching spoken Chinese, taking Xiaohongshu as a case study. The research is conducted in Nanjing, China, where a group of international students are learning Chinese at the intermediate level. A small-scale study is carried out through questionnaires and classroom observation to examine learners' perceptions and learning experiences. The results indicate that Xiaohongshu short videos can enhance learners' interest in speaking practice, provide authentic and contextualized language input, and help learners become more familiar with everyday spoken expressions. At the same time, the study also reveals certain challenges, such as fast speech speed and the frequent use of informal language.The findings suggest that short-video platforms like Xiaohongshu have positive pedagogical value in CFL speaking instruction when used appropriately. With careful selection of content and guidance from teachers, such platforms can serve as effective supplementary resources to support spoken Chinese learning.