Language Learning through Digital Media: Investigating the Strategies among Selected International Students in the Philippines

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the language learning strategies used by international students in Manila, Philippines, in five areas: planning and organizing, remembering, thinking and understanding, compensating, and interacting. Using the snowball sampling technique, the researcher identified and interviewed ten (10) international students from different colleges and universities for this descriptive research. The findings revealed that the use of digital media has become common for participants in various areas of language learning strategies. For instance, the usefulness of Google Translate, Dictionary+, YouTube, Netflix, mobile language translators, and other language learning applications such as Mango, Drops, Rosetta Stone, Babbel and Mondly were recognized, alongside writing new words, interacting with people, and conversing using a second language (L2). Given the significance of digital media in L2 learning, the researcher developed the digital media-assisted language learning (DMALL) paradigm to contribute to language learning research. This study will cater to a specific context to address the needs of international students in the Philippines. Hence, determining the difficulties and the strategies will form an integral part of the academic curriculum plan or design that will substantially assist the L2 needs of the growing number of international students in the country.