Uses of Smartphone Apps for English Listening Practice

초록

With the advent of mobile assisted language learning, learning (MALL), learningis taking place anytime, anywhere, and its informal and personal aspects arereceiving attention in academic circles. This qualitative study explored thepersonalized language learning experiences of learners who used smartphones fordaily listening practice. Particularly, we focused on how learners engage inEnglish listening practice and what listening strategies they use. Fifteen Koreanuniversity students participated in MALL activities with a variety of apps. Focusgroup interviews were conducted with five students to understand how studentsused smartphone apps for listening practice. The analysis of qualitative dataindicated that the mobility of smartphones helped the students fully utilize theflexibility of time and place. Although the issue of partial attention was broughtup regarding the process of learning, we looked at the possibility of learning asa habitual practice. The other significant finding is that students were very keento authenticity, and this influenced their choice of listening apps. Finally, thestudents enjoyed extensive practice in listening, but passively used listeningstrategies.

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