Mobile-Assisted Vocabulary Learning in Real-Life Setting for Primary School Students: Two Case Studies

Abstract

In recent years, we witness the rise of communicative and contextualized approaches in language learning theories concomitant with developments in the paradigm of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL). In this paper, we present two novel case studies in MALL that emphasize "creative learner outputs". In learning English prepositions and Chinese idioms respectively, students in the two studies used mobile devices on a 1:1 basis to capture photos of the real-life contexts pertaining to the prepositions or idioms, and to construct sentences with them. Subsequently, in-class or online sharing and discussions took place, enhancing the students' understanding in the proper usage of the prepositions or idioms. The learning designs are grounded in the seamless learning model that encompasses in-class formal learning and out-of-class informal setting, and personal and social learning spaces. The student learning processes and artifacts have manifested some indicators of "seamless language learning" that has the potential of transforming language learning into an authentic learning experience.