Using Smart Phones in Language Learning – A Pilot Study to Turn CALL into MALL

Abstract

The popularity of smart phones has increased enormously in the last few years. Because of the increasing penetration of these devices and the above-average willingness of our students using new tools and devices in language courses, we decided to design a voluntary pilot project for mobile language learning for students who learn German as a second language (N = 70). In our project we decided to use busuu.com, because of its easy registration process, the clear design, the very active and helpful busuu community and primarily, because of the provided tasks and materials, which are available via PC and via mobile devices too. The voluntary pilot project started in March and ended in May 2013. Every week, the students had experience during the project in the learning management system of the school. In May, we asked the participants how they used their devices in language learning, their experiences with language learning with busuu, what they felt were ideal learning environments for mobile learning and the types of activities they felt that their mobile devices were suited for.