U.S. International ESL Students' Experiences with and Perceptions of Utilizing Mobile Technologies for English Learning

• Main Author: Zhu, Shanyuan
• Other Authors: Norris, Cathleen
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2017
• Subjects: Mobile learning; English as a second language; English language > Study and teaching > Foreign speakers.; Mobile communication systems in education.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1062867/

The purpose of this research was to examine ESL (English as a second language) students' current use of their mobile phones for English skill building activities outside of class in a U.S. school setting. In addition, this research reported on students' perceptions of the potential benefits of using smartphones in class for English learning. Also learners' current English related activities using mobile devices and time duration of using different phone features were studied. The literature review included smartphones, computer education, mobile learning, mobile assisted language learning (MALL), computer assisted language learning (CALL), theories of second language learning, second language learner attributes and the use of smartphones outside the classroom. An electronic survey was used to collect the quantitative data which were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The results concluded that students used mobile applications on a daily basis to read and write email, read books and news, check a dictionary, talk, text and video chat. Students used mobile phones outside of class to improve the English skills listed in the survey and the same participants perceived the potential benefits of using smartphones in class for the same English skills. Among the English skills, vocabulary exercises, finding example sentences of English words and English grammar exercises had a significant difference between out of class and in class variable. The results indicated a direction for future research on using mobile phones for ESL learning. This study also revealed a focus of practice for utilizing mobile technologies in the teaching and learning of ESL.