English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Learners' Predominant Language Use for Online Informal Learning Activities through Smartphones in Indonesian Context

Gede Eka Putrawan,Bambang Riadi

doi:10.13189/ujer.2020.080243

Abstract

In recent years, researchers have become increasingly interested in mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) studies for online informal learning of English as a foreign language (EFL). Smartphones, and other mobile devices, have been used as a powerful tool in informal contexts of learning since that form of technology can help students engage in out-of-class language learning experiences. However, to our knowledge, no research on EFL learners' predominant language use for their online informal learning activities has been conducted in Indonesian context. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate EFL learners' predominant language use for their online informal learning of English through smartphones, in which the data collected were quantitatively analyzed through descriptive statistics. The results indicate that EFL learners predominantly perform their online informal learning activities in Indonesian, in English, and in both Indonesian and English. Finally, suggestions and recommendations for future research are also discussed.

Highlights

Researchers have become increasingly interested in mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) studies for online informal learning of English as a foreign language (EFL)
Mobile devices either PDAs or smartphones have been extensively used in informal learning context [4] since a variety of online contexts such as the use of social media, games, songs and videos can support language teaching and learning [15] and “the less constrained informal learning leads to enjoyment which is positively related to the learning outcome” [16, p. 9]
Their online activities are divided into three categories: online informal learning activities with a predominant use of Indonesian, online informal learning activities with a predominant use of English, and online informal learning activities in which both Indonesian and English are used in a similar way by the participants, as shown in Table 1 as follows

Summary

Introduction

Researchers have become increasingly interested in mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) studies for online informal learning of English as a foreign language (EFL). Smartphones, and other mobile devices, have been used as a powerful tool in both formal and informal contexts of learning [4]. Technology is used in informal learning context to help students engage in out-of-class language learning experiences [8]. Through this type of audiovisual technology, sources of authentic language input for either formal or informal learning can be found by learners of both English as a second language (ESL) and a foreign language (EFL) [9]

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Results

Conclusion