Perspective of ESL Undergraduates on Mobile Assisted Language Learning
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) - a topic of current interest - is a subset of
the approach, Computer- Assisted Language Learning (CALL), deals with handheld
mobile devices making the learning process more personalized, spontaneous and
ubiquitous (Miangah and Nezarat). Various researches identified that mobile learning (mlearning) is capable of supporting more innovative constructivist, collaborative, learnercentered instruction in contrast to teacher-led classroom pedagogical situations. Having
set an objective to investigate the end-users' perception of the use of MALL approach in
relation to the advantages and disadvantages of its adoption and implementation in
English Language learning, the population (twenty students) of the second year English as
a Second Language (ESL) undergraduates of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
was selected. An open-ended questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain data and the
data were analyzed qualitatively. The analysis confirmed that the majority of the
respondents do have a positive attitude towards the use of the MALL approach for
distance learning. The results of the study depict the abundance of advantages of using mlearning in tertiary education, such as easy and quick access and availability of plenty of
resources, software, and apps. It was found to be supportive in developing almost all the
four language skills including grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. In view of the
difficulties encountered when using m- learning approach, the data manifested the
commonness of difficulties encountered by ESL learners in the categories of connection
problems, financial issues, lack of high- tech sophisticated devices, accuracy, and
reliability issues. Although the findings convince that the students still choose teacher-led
classroom education, MALL would be more preferred if all its features are fully
employed.
Keywords: English as a second language, Mobile- Assisted language learning
Description
Keywords
English, Second Language, Language, Technology