Understanding Chinese secondary school students’ perceptions of mobile-assisted language learning

ABSTRACT

Given the paucity of research on mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) in secondary schools in China, this retrospective case study explored the psychological processes underlying the non-voluntary MALL experiences of Chinese secondary school students during a lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. Drawing on prior technology acceptance studies, we proposed a research model comprising nine latent constructs, and tested it with data collected through a questionnaire survey (N = 265). The results of a structural modeling test showed that subjective norms and attitudes toward MALL were significant predictors of the behavioral intention to use it, whereas perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use mediated other factors that influence attitudes. The findings support the use of the technology acceptance model in investigating MALL acceptance. Implications for the better implementation of MALL, especially in the context of secondary schools in China are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• MALL
• technology acceptance
• student
• secondary school
• China

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the teachers who helped in recruiting participants. Special thanks go to all the students whose participation made this study possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Henan Provincial Educational Department under Grant number 2019GGJS036 and by the Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Reform Project of Henan Province under Grant number 2021SJGLX201Y.

Notes on contributors

Shuxia Yang

Shuxia Yang, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Foreign Languages at Henan University.

Rui Wang

Rui Wang, MA, is an English teacher in Sui Ping NO. 1 Senior High School.

Bing Mei

Bing Mei, PhD, is a lecturer in the School of Foreign Languages at Henan University.