Abstract
After the exceptional circumstances the whole world has experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students have become digital natives who seek learning that overcomes the barriers of place and time. This mixed-methods study aimed at investigating EFL learners' perceptions regarding the application of Busuu in language learning, by applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The participants were 58 first secondary stage students in a Saudi private school. An online survey and a semi-structured interview were used to collect data. The results revealed that EFL learners have a positive attitude towards Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL). 
 Additionally, according to the TAM, the participants found the language application Busuu useful and easy to use. They also thought of Busuu as a valuable resource for language learning, which increases their motivation to be autonomous learners. However, in addition to the TAM components, the results also showed that affordance and joyfulness could be strong indicators of learners' acceptance of a particular technology. 
 Moreover, the results revealed that mobile applications might be more helpful for beginner learners than advanced ones. On the other hand, the findings also showed that Busuu might distract learners from doing their homework. Besides, the regular use of Busuu might be harmful to their eyes due to the small mobile screen size. For further research, the recommendation includes a large sample size in addition to a long-term study of EFL learners' perception towards Busuu in normal classroom circumstances. 
Highlights
Learning is a lifelong process and in our changing time, learners are more driven towards using their mobile phones for almost every purpose
The results suggested that Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) can increase EFL learners' autonomy and provide them with available valuable resources to learn the language anytime and anywhere
The findings revealed that, according to EFL learners, Busuu is an easy and useful learning tool that they intend to use in their learning journey
Summary
Learning is a lifelong process and in our changing time, learners are more driven towards using their mobile phones for almost every purpose. It has been argued that traditional learning is no longer suitable for today's learners, which might create a massive gap between what students are learning in their classes and their everyday lives (Alshabeb & Almaqrn, 2018). The world's learning systems have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the governments have established, based on technology, a distance educational systems for their citizens. Students are learning distantly at home, which influenced the selection of online educational resources planned for students and teachers (Reimers, Schleicher, Saavedra, & Tuominen, 2020). It might be said that integrating technology in general and mobile applications in specific into the learning process is crucial for both students and teachers
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