Language teachers’ perceptions of using Google keyboard in L2 writing

Abstract

Despite the growth of research on mobile technologies in educational contexts, research on language teachers’ perceptions of mobile technologies – particularly in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) – remains sparse. Hence, the present study explored EFL teachers’ perceptions of using Google keyboard (Gboard) for L2 writing instruction. The participants were two teachers who taught 47 intermediate Turkish EFL learners. Data were collected from the teachers. They were asked to keep a teaching journal and report their perceptions of Gboard implementation as well as the most distinctive lexical errors they deemed to emerge in the learners’ writing. Data analyses indicated that the teachers perceived the integration of Gboard into instruction as an effective intervention that assisted with enhancing the spelling accuracy of the learners. The implications of the study have been discussed.