scholarly journals EFL Teachers’ Attitudes towards the Use of Mobile Devices in Learning English at A University in Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loc Van Vo ◽  
Linh Thuy Vo

Among the sharp development of modern technology, mobile learning (M-learning) appears as the significantmark of technological revolution 4.0. It has seen that the exponential expansionof mobile devices accompanied their smart functions to support learners’ learning everywhere and every time. Thus, mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) is believed to serve learners' English knowledge. Although learning through mobile devices is expected to apply appropriately toteaching and learning, teachers’attitudestowardsmobile learning needto be assessedseriously. This writing is to present EFL learners’ psychological preparation to perceive English mobile learning application at University X through a survey on 69 EFL teachers byquestionnaire,including tenstatements within 10 minutes. The investigationis carried out in the second semester of the school year 2018-2019. The qualitative approach was used to collect and analyze data, and findings showed that teachers have positive attitudes towards M-learning and its application at University X can be accepted firmly.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone L. Calabrich

<p class="apa">This research explored perceptions of learners studying English in private language schools regarding the use of mobile technology to support language learning. Learners were first exposed to both a mobile assisted and a mobile unassisted language learning experience, and then asked to express their thoughts on the incorporation of mobile devices into the language classroom. The mobile assisted tasks involved learners posting a review online based on a real past experience, as well as using web-search engines to gather enough information to plan a hypothetical trip. Findings revealed overall positive attitudes amongst the students surveyed. Arguments in favour of the incorporation of mobile technology in the language classroom included: the possibility of having access to a range of materials superior in both quality and quantity when using mobile devices to access the Internet, among others. However, a significant amount of scepticism towards Mobile Assisted Language Learning emerged. Arguments against suggested that the format of presentation, rather than the type of task, seemed to constitute a motivational factor that played a psychologically significant role to some of the learners.</p>


ReCALL ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Kukulska-Hulme ◽  
Lesley Shield

AbstractMobile learning is undergoing rapid evolution. While early generations of mobile learning tended to propose activities that were carefully crafted by educators and technologists, learners are increasingly motivated by their personal learning needs, including those arising from greater mobility and frequent travel. At the same time, it is often argued that mobile devices are particularly suited to supporting social contacts and collaborative learning - claims that have obvious relevance for language learning. A review of publications reporting mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) was undertaken to discover how far mobile devices are being used to support social contact and collaborative learning. In particular, we were interested in speaking and listening practice and in the possibilities for both synchronous and asynchronous interaction in the context of online and distance learning. We reflect on how mobile language learning has developed to date and suggest directions for the future.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-321
Author(s):  
Mariia Viktorovna Drygina

In our modern world mobile devices play an important role in the learning process and provide more opportunities for access to educational resources. The use of mobile devices in the learning process is a promising direction that attracts researchers all over the world. Although mobile devices are widely used and they are accessible means of studying, they are still not perceived as means of foreign language learning. The use of mobile technologies will make it possible not only to induce the learning process visibility, divisiveness and interaction, but also to improve the quality of education, and to expand the possibilities for both students and teachers. The paper presents a systematic review of resources on the problem of mobile assisted language learning. The results of the research have shown that this method is widely used by researchers in Scandinavian countries. The classification has been made on the basis of the existing concept of mobile learning. In addition, the paper describes main technical, pedagogical and psychosocial factors which influence the development of modern resources for mobile learning of foreign languages.


This study examined the mobile-assisted language learning studies published from 2007 to 2016 in selected journals from the aspects of adopted mobile devices, mobile learning systems/resources, and the benefits and challenges of utilizing mobile devices or learning systems/resources. The results revealed that the traditional mobile devices (e.g., Personal Digital Assistants, PDAs) and the current popular mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablet PCs) were frequently adopted for language learning in different time periods, while wearable devices have not been adopted by any language learning research so far. In addition, most of the studies used researcher-developed learning systems/resources, while the use of educational affordances of free applications or resources needs to be promoted. Furthermore, the abundant benefits of using mobile devices or mobile learning systems/resources for language acquisition were found in many studies, such as providing substantial chances for learning, and providing or building authentic environments for learners’ meaningful knowledge construction; on the other hand, the studies also reported several challenges (e.g., insufficient practice time and the lack of effective learning strategies) to be overcome in the future. Finally, several suggestions are provided for researchers or practitioners to conduct their future work.


Author(s):  
Elahe Moladoust

This study investigated EFL teachers' and students' perspectives towards Audiotaped Oral Dialogue Journals (ATODJs), as a computer-mediated communication (CMC) and a Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) task. The data came from 202 entries of ATODJs, gathered from15 female Iranian intermediate EFL learners. Teachers and students' evaluations of the whole program comprised of the qualitative part of the research. The results revealed that the majority of the participants found ATDOJs helpful. The strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges of ATODJs from the teacher's and the participants' viewpoints were discussed. Based on the results of the present study, it is highly recommended that EFL teachers and materials developers incorporate ATODJ tasks in the curriculum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-291
Author(s):  
Abdullah Alhadiah

Since vocabulary learning plays a crucial role in the journey of language learning, various programs and mobile applications have been developed to assist vocabulary learning. However, the effectiveness of MALL-based (mobile-assisted language learning) tools can be determined by examining the perception of users, who are learners in this case, because, as Beres (2011) emphasized, learners do not always perceive learning tool effectiveness in the same way as educators. Thus, the primary purpose of this study is to investigate the perspectives of learners regarding the use of one of the programs that can be used for vocabulary learning — Quizlet. The perceptions of thirty-eight Saudi EFL (English as a Foreign Language) freshmen college students regarding the use of Quizlet for fourteen weeks were examined using questionnaires and interviews. The main findings of the study show that the students demonstrated positive attitudes towards the use of Quizlet in English vocabulary learning. They perceived it as a useful program that was easy to use, and they reported the intention to use it in the future. The present study highly recommends the use of MALL-based tools for vocabulary learning for their usefulness inside and outside the classroom.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rastislav Metruk

MALL (Mobile assisted language learning) affords new opportunities for EFL (English as a foreign language) learners and teachers. Research on MALL is still in its infancy in Slovakia, and this paper attempts to fill in this gap by examining students’ perception and attitudes towards the use of smartphones for the purposes of learning and practicing English. The target population of this study constituted of the Slovak university EFL learners whose major was Teacher Training of English Language and Literature (n = 77) at a Slovak university. The research method employed to achieve the objectives of this study was a 5‑point Likert scale questionnaire, comprising of two sets of statements: general and out‑of‑the‑classroom statements with a total of 29 items. The research results for both sets of statements imply that the participants display moderately positive attitudes towards smartphones in the context of EFL learning. However, the findings also reveal some issues surrounding the perception and potential use of smartphones such as the inability to plan students’ language learning appropriately and effectively, general underuse of smartphone apps, or problems related to practicing speaking skills. The results further suggest the immediate need to develop and enhance the awareness of smartphones and their potential in the process of teaching and learning English so that the EFL learners can utilize considerable opportunities these smart devices offer. Finally, the limitations of this study are recognized, and it is emphasized that conducting further research in this area is urgently needed.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Mahib Ur Rahman

Mobile learning has recently emerged as a powerful and frequently used tool in the teaching-learning curriculum. Besides, it also attracted the attention of EFL teachers and learners across the globe. Its acceptance in EFL learning is mainly because of the two fundamental functions, i.e., anytime and anywhere. As a result, the pioneers and scholars who work in second or foreign language learning have largely recognized its impact and importance. Furthermore, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the regular traditional classes have been severely affected, and teaching has been carried out by online method. As a result, mobiles and tablets have primarily been used along with other electronic gadgets. Therefore, this paper aims to examine EFL learners' perceptions about m-learning for their learning activities during COVID-19 at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire has been prepared by keeping the use of the mobile device in view that can benefit Saudi EFL learners, and distributed among 50 EFL male and female students. Later, a quantitative analysis of the responses has been done by using SPSS 26. The study identified healthy and positive perceptions of m-learning. The significant findings will be valuable for the teachers and administrators concerning m-learning in language teaching.


2016 ◽  
pp. 1097-1115
Author(s):  
Haixia Liu ◽  
Wenhao Tao ◽  
William Cain

This study aims to investigate how English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and students in China spontaneously use apps for smartphone and tablets to support their informal language learning. It also seeks to determine EFL teachers' perspectives on informal and formal Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL). A total of 240 smartphone and/or tablet users (186 students and 54 EFL teachers) from four colleges in Guangdong China participated in the survey. Twenty-eight teachers selected from the survey participants were interviewed afterwards. Analysis of the survey data showed that all participants were using apps to learn foreign languages informally. Survey data analysis also revealed that the most frequently used apps were based on form-focused behaviorist activities rather than learner-centered constructivist activities. A comparison of usage between EFL teachers and students revealed no significant difference in their choice of apps, yet students expected guidance from EFL teachers in using apps and resources to facilitate language learning. Finally, while the survey data indicated EFL teachers had positive attitudes towards informal MALL, the interviews revealed that many of them held negative sentiments toward MALL in the classroom. We interpret this difference in attitudes as a reflection of the teachers' concerns about learners' self-control and autonomous learning skills, as well as concerns about required teachers' knowledge and perceived changes to teachers' roles. We conclude by discussing the implications of MALL for language teacher education and professional development.


Author(s):  
Haixia Liu ◽  
Wenhao Tao ◽  
William Cain

This study aims to investigate how English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and students in China spontaneously use apps for smartphone and tablets to support their informal language learning. It also seeks to determine EFL teachers' perspectives on informal and formal Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL). A total of 240 smartphone and/or tablet users (186 students and 54 EFL teachers) from four colleges in Guangdong China participated in the survey. Twenty-eight teachers selected from the survey participants were interviewed afterwards. Analysis of the survey data showed that all participants were using apps to learn foreign languages informally. Survey data analysis also revealed that the most frequently used apps were based on form-focused behaviorist activities rather than learner-centered constructivist activities. A comparison of usage between EFL teachers and students revealed no significant difference in their choice of apps, yet students expected guidance from EFL teachers in using apps and resources to facilitate language learning. Finally, while the survey data indicated EFL teachers had positive attitudes towards informal MALL, the interviews revealed that many of them held negative sentiments toward MALL in the classroom. We interpret this difference in attitudes as a reflection of the teachers' concerns about learners' self-control and autonomous learning skills, as well as concerns about required teachers' knowledge and perceived changes to teachers' roles. We conclude by discussing the implications of MALL for language teacher education and professional development.


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