Smartphones and Foreign Language Learning: an Explanatory Study

Abstract

This research investigates how mobiles and in particular smartphones have influenced the language learning process by focussing attention on learner’s habits, preferences, and opinions. This study puts its basis on European Union’s policies, in favour of the use of technology and language learning, and previous studies on new digital language learning methods. In order to conduct this research, quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a questionnaire. On the whole, the study has confirmed previous studies' findings by discovering that young learners who have a high level of education already use digital tools such as smartphones to enhance their language skills and they do not despise the use of technology in institutional contexts. Moreover, participants would be interested in using applications which allow them to improve all aspects of learning a language and they would include the possibility of having face-to-face calls and forum discussions on themes of their interest. Finally, this study could be interesting for educators who would like to add new sources to their teaching methods.