Improving the English-speaking skills of young learners through mobile social networking

ABSTRACT

Most students of English as a foreign language (EFL) lack sufficient opportunities to practice their English-speaking skills. However, the recent development of social-networking sites (SNSs) and mobile learning, and especially mobile-assisted language learning, represents new opportunities for these learners to practice speaking English in a meaningful way. This study integrated a mobile SNS into first-grade EFL classes in China, with the aim of determining its effects on the students’ speaking skills. Two classes were recruited, one as a control group that did not use the SNS, and the other as the experimental group, which did. While both classes’ speaking skills improved between pretest and posttest, the gains in English fluency by the experimental group were significantly larger. Progress in accuracy and pronunciation, on the other hand, were similar across the two groups. These findings are discussed in relation to specific characteristics of SNSs and mobile learning that enable learners to speak in low-stress, situated contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• English as a foreign language
• speaking skills
• mobile learning
• mobile social-networking sites

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Livemocha was acquired by Rosetta Stone in 2013 and ceased operations in April 2016.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Imaging Technology [grant number BAICIT-2016004].

Notes on contributors

Zhong Sun

Zhong Sun is associate professor at Capital Normal University, China. Her research interests include mobile learning and technology enhanced language learning.

Chin-Hsi Lin

Chin-hsi Lin is Assitant Professor at Michigan State University. Dr. Lin's research focuses on Computer Assisted Language Learning, online learning and teaching in k-12 and higher education, and program evalution.

Jiaxin You

Jiaxin You, undergraduate student, Capital Normal University, China. Her research area is in mobile application development.

Hai jiao Shen

Haijiao Shen, lecturer. No. 15 Middle school, Beijing, China. Her research area is integrating mobile technology into teaching and learning.

Song Qi

Song Qi, Baijiazhuang elementary school, Beijing, China. She is a senior English as Foreign Language teacher. She is experienced in integrating mobile technology into classroom teaching.

Liming Luo

Liming Luo, Professor, Capital Normal University. His research area is software development and machine learning.