The Current Situations of Mobile Assisted Language Learning

Abstract

The pervasive use of mobile devices has profoundly influenced people’s life style and leaning style. Currently, it is pretty popular to use smart phones, IPADs, or PCs to have language learning. Mobile assisted language learning (MALL) makes it possible for language learning to occur at any time and place, and it can also compensate the interactive, cooperative and authentic learning environment which is often lack in tradition foreign language learning classroom. The paper mainly discussed the current situation of MALL and its application in the foreign language learning and teaching by summarizing the definition, characteristics, merits and flaws of MALL. It concluded that foreign language teachers should fully consider the functions and advantages of different mobile devices and design appropriate tasks according to learners’ cognitive level and foreign language proficiency in order to simulate learners’ interest in MALL and also encourage learners to develop their own learning strategies in MALL so as to promote their independent and autonomous learning ability.