Fostering Academic Vocabulary Learning: Opportunities for Explicit Learning through a Mobile-Assisted App in the Field of Applied Linguistics

International Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Research

دوره 12، شماره 44، تیر 2023، صفحه 133-152   

نوع مقاله: Research Papers

شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.30495/jfl.2023.700437

نویسندگان

Zeinab Abdollahpour¹؛ Nafiseh Asadzadeh Maleki^{* 2}

¹Department of English Language, Naghadeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Naghadeh, Iran

²Department of English Language, Malekan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Malekan, Iran

چکیده

Over the last decade, Mobile-assisted Language Learning (MALL) has led to an authentic and contextual language learning process across the globe (Kukulska-Hulme, 2009). It has played a pivotal role in language learning in general and vocabulary learning in particular as a building block of academic writing. The current study examined the effect of a mobile application (i.e. AWL builder) on academic vocabulary learning among sophomore university students in applied linguistics. The study also focused on measuring students' perceptions and problems in utilizing mobile-assisted applications in acquiring English academic vocabulary. Accordingly, using convenience sampling procedures the participants were divided into experimental (N =36) and control (N = 36) groups. The experimental group used a mobile application (i.e. AWL builder), while the control group used a traditional approach. Furthermore, to answer research questions academic vocabulary pre-and post-tests and a questionnaire were employed. The findings show that the AWL group showed prominent performance in academic vocabulary tests. The current study concludes that instructors should take into account mobile devices as useful supplementary tools to enhance L2 academic word retention and include them in regular language curriculum.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Academic vocabulary learning؛ Mobile-assisted language learning؛ Mobile application؛ Vocabulary learning

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