Mobile technology as a dependable alternative to language labs and to improve listening skills

Abstract

There is an incessant gap between language acquisition and adoption of modern technologies, especially in semi-urban parts of economically growing countries in Asia. There is a need to establish infrastructure for Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Information Communication Technology (ICT), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) to enrich English Language Teaching. Though these types of establishments instil confidence and fluency among English learners, investment in procurement, running costs towards maintenance and service cost deter institutions from establishing Language Labs and Language studios. The objective of this study was to establish Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) in higher education institutions and enhance English fluency and accuracy with minimal operation and low maintenance cost. The study also methodologically shortlisted open-source mobile applications based on users' feedback on their user-friendliness, skill-levels, content, and options that promote Learners' Autonomy. A quantitative true-experimental study was conducted at the Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India, to develop the listening skills of (n=121) students of first-year Bachelor of Technology in a varied branch. The pre-test and post-test results revealed improvements in the experimental group. The findings would immensely help the underprivileged to serve ESL learners from any part of the globe who intend to enhance their proficiency in English.

The Effectiveness of the BBC Learning English Application for Building Students’ English-Language Strategic Competence

“…It allows students to improve their listening, reading and grammar skills, as well as develop speaking and communica on skills in an English-speaking environment. The eff ec veness of using similar so ware is considered in Kannan and Meenakshi (2023) and Raj and Tomy (2023). The BBC Learning English applica on has many advantages that make it a useful tool for building students' English-language strategic competence.…”

A Review of Virtual Reality for English Language Learning in Higher Education

“…VR and game-based design can provide immersive and interactive experiences that increase students' motivation to learn English, allowing them to enter a state of flow and increase motivation. Approach (Raj & Tomy, 2023) The main challenge is the cost of procuring, operating, and maintaining infrastructure for language learning technologies.…”

“…This shows that VR can create interesting and interactive learning experiences for students, which has the potential to increase motivation and active participation in learning English. Apart from VR, Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) technology has also been shown to be able to improve English speaking skills and accuracy with low operational and maintenance costs (Raj & Tomy, 2023). This shows the potential of MALL in helping ESL students around the world improve their English skills practically and efficiently.…”

“…However, they also discuss the limitations and challenges associated with the implementation of VR technology. Several articles, such as those written by Legault et al (2019b), Y. L. Chen & Hsu (2020), Raj &Tomy (2023), andSoto et al (2020), emphasize the effectiveness of VR technology in enhancing language learning experiences. They argue that VR provides immersive and interactive learning environments that improve students' motivation, engagement, and participation.…”

YouTube as a Media for Developing English Proficiency: Experiments on Elementary School Students in Indonesia

“…Technology continues to develop, which causes changes in the pattern of human life and education. This technological advancement requires teachers to be able to develop and adjust additional competencies (Latorre-Cosculluela et al, 2021;Raj & Tomy, 2023), one of which is using modern technology in the learning process so that they can adapt technology as a medium that stimulates students to achieve learning goals. The way to eliminate boredom during learning is to apply technology as a medium or teaching material in an electronic format, which has a new appeal and can provide space and time efficiency (Shadiev et al, 2020;Voogt & McKenney, 2017;Wibowo & Prastowo, 2023).…”