MOBILE PHONE AS A COMPONENT OF DIGITAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The article deals with the theoretical and methodological foundations of foreign language learning with the help of mobile phones as constituents of digital learning based on the analysis of foreign scientific sources and practical activity of teachers. Mobile learning is also known to be an extension of e-learning. It is argued that mobile phones, among all modern digital technologies, are one of the most effective means of communication. Such devices can help learners to control the learning process and their progress on the basis of cognitive abilities. Mobile learning provides students with the opportunity to study while on the move, outside of the classroom or on holiday. In fact, they can study when and where they are. With the growing numbers of multimedia software and applications, mobile learning has become more authentic, context-aware and ubiquitous, making the learning process diversely customizable in terms of abilities, interest, and preferences.One of the significant advantages of learning a foreign language using a mobile phone is the ability to engage in collaborative learning. Collaborative learning implies active exchange of students’ knowledge, skills and relationships through interaction. Collaboration helps students motivate and evaluate each other, in order to learn a significant amount of knowledge, that is almost absent in other approaches.Mobile phones can be used in second language learning to develop skills related to pronunciation, grammar, listening, writing and reading comprehension.Mobile-Assisted Language Learning is supported by the use of the following technologies: short message service (SMS), Internet access, camera, audio/video recording and video messaging (MMS).