This week's ICT classroom theme is Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL). First, we learned how MALL has evolved from Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). In the CALL era, the role of computers in language learning evolved from being a tutor to a tool, and then to a messenger. This evolution reflects the shift in language learning from initially focusing on grammar and writing forms to later emphasizing communicative skills, and even at higher levels, enhancing language skills often involves understanding culture.
In today's life, mobile phones have become indispensable tools for most people, and using language learning apps on phones has become a new trend. The advantages and disadvantages of learning languages on mobile phones are obvious. Whether it's access efficiency, authenticity and relevance of e-materials, or the variety of multimedia forms that make learning enjoyable, and even the tracking of learning outcomes, they all provide great help for language learning. Of course, it is inevitable to be easily distracted when learning on mobile phones, but giving learners some autonomy will also have a positive impact.
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| Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash |
As language teachers, we also need to know what kind of CALL or MALL tasks can promote students' language learning. First, tasks need to consider what language knowledge and skills students can learn through the task. Secondly, there needs to be a certain degree of authenticity, consistent with real-world language use and cultural background, and feasible and effective in practical applications. We experienced such a task in class. The teacher used Nearpod in the classroom to send task instructions to our phones. We walked around the campus, asked campus staff questions in different real-life scenarios (using polite language), and completed the task. This form of task has indeed inspired me, and teachers can support students' learning with their phones in various ways.
Of course, there are also many apps on phones that can help learners learn English. Because I myself like outdoor activities, especially hiking, I downloaded an app called AllTrails. AllTrails is an outdoor adventure app that provides detailed information on thousands of hiking, walking, cycling, and running routes worldwide. The app can help users provide detailed information about each route, including maps, route lengths, altitude changes, difficulty ratings, and reviews and photos from other users. Users can also use AllTrails to record their own activities and share their experiences with the community. When I read about hiking routes or look for suggestions on certain routes, I have to read in English. But gradually, I found that I learned a lot of authentic English expressions from this app, especially in outdoor activities and how to introduce hiking routes to others.
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| screenshots from AllTrails |
Nowadays, there are also many apps targeted at English language teaching (ELT) on phones, such as Busuu, which I used in class a few weeks ago. As an English teacher, we can provide students with some learning apps similar to Busuu, or encourage them to set their phone language to English during their daily use, and even converse with Siri in English. Teachers can design assignments that are accessible and manageable on mobile devices. This could include quizzes, polls, interactive exercises, or multimedia presentations that students can complete and submit using their phones. By incorporating mobile devices into teaching methodologies, it not only boosts student participation, accessibility, and adaptability in learning but also fosters personalized and self-guided learning encounters.
