Abstract
Use of dictionaries is an integral part of language learning and teaching. With the availability of smartphones, EFL, ESL and ESP students can access and download a variety of specialized mobile dictionaries Apps (MDAs). Specialized MDAs are of special importance for students learning English for engineering, business, and computer science purposes. They contain thousands of essential specialize technical terms covering several sub-categories within the engineering, business and computer science fields. They are a good tool for enriching the students’ specialized vocabulary and helping them learn faster and remember more in a shorter time. This article aims to show ESP instructors examples of engineering, computer science and business MDAs available in the Google Play or Apple Stores; how specialized MDAs can be located; criteria for selecting specialized MDAs; the lexicographical features of specialized MDA and instructional stages with MDAs. Instruction with MDAs goes through three stages: pre-task, task, and post-task phases. The instructor serves as a facilitator. She can help students find and download MDAs that meet their needs and purposes and match their proficiency level; gives pre-questions; and follows the students up to make sure they are making the best use of MDAs. The article concludes with some recommendations for ESP pedagogy with MDAs.
Highlights
In this day and age, smart phones are loaded with educational applications that students of all ages and all fields of study can use for a variety of purposes, including foreign/second language learning
A variety of language learning apps are available in the Android and Apple Stores for developing English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) students’ listening and speaking skills [1]; [2]; [3]; listening to and pronouncing new vocabulary based on first language (L1) to second language (L2) translation [4]; reading skills and literature [5]; [6]; [7]; [8]; writing skills [9]; vocabulary learning [10]; enhancing students’ incidental vocabulary learning in English-medium universities through the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) [11]; standardized tests [12]; learning English by children on smart phones, iPads, and tablets [13]; [14]; and general language learning purposes [15] [16]; [17]; [18]
The literature review has shown that despite the widespread growth in the use of smartphones, iPads and tablets, which have facilitated a plethora of new mobile language learning applications in all languages especially English, there is still a dearth of studies that investigate the utilization of specialized mobile dictionaries Apps (MDAs) in the teaching of English for engineering, business and computer science purposes at colleges of science and technology such as the Ibri College of Technology in Oman
Summary
In this day and age, smart phones are loaded with educational applications that students of all ages and all fields of study can use for a variety of purposes, including foreign/second language learning. The literature review has shown that despite the widespread growth in the use of smartphones, iPads and tablets, which have facilitated a plethora of new mobile language learning applications in all languages especially English, there is still a dearth of studies that investigate the utilization of specialized MDAs in the teaching of English for engineering, business and computer science purposes at colleges of science and technology such as the Ibri College of Technology in Oman. In this respect, [33] indicated that vocabulary learning needs special teaching strategies and language learning process. Even ESP instructors with little knowledge in engineering, business or computer science can acquire specialized technical terms in those areas by searching MDAs
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