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Mobile-assisted language learning: A Duolingo case study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2019

Shawn Loewen Open the ORCID record for Shawn Loewen [Opens in a new window] ,
Dustin Crowther Open the ORCID record for Dustin Crowther [Opens in a new window] ,
Daniel R. Isbell Open the ORCID record for Daniel R. Isbell [Opens in a new window] ,
Kathy Minhye Kim Open the ORCID record for Kathy Minhye Kim [Opens in a new window] ,
Jeffrey Maloney Open the ORCID record for Jeffrey Maloney [Opens in a new window] ,
Zachary F. Miller Open the ORCID record for Zachary F. Miller [Opens in a new window]  and
Hima Rawal Open the ORCID record for Hima Rawal [Opens in a new window]
Shawn Loewen
Affiliation:
1Michigan State University, USA (loewens@msu.edu)
Dustin Crowther
Affiliation:
2Oklahoma State University, USA (dustin.crowther@okstate.edu)
Daniel R. Isbell
Affiliation:
3Michigan State University, USA (isbelda@msu.edu)
Kathy Minhye Kim
Affiliation:
4Michigan State University, USA (kimminh3@msu.edu)
Jeffrey Maloney
Affiliation:
5Northeastern State University, USA (maloneyj@nsuok.edu)
Zachary F. Miller
Affiliation:
6United States Military Academyat West Point, USA (zachary.miller@westpoint.edu)
Hima Rawal
Affiliation:
7Michigan State University, USA (rawalhim@msu.edu)
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Abstract

The growing availability of mobile technologies has contributed to an increase in mobile-assisted language learning in which learners can autonomously study a second language (L2) anytime or anywhere (e.g. Kukulska-Hulme, Lee & Norris, 2017; Reinders & Benson, 2017). Research investigating the effectiveness of such study for L2 learning, however, has been limited, especially regarding large-scale commercial L2 learning apps, such as Duolingo. Although one commissioned research study found favorable language learning outcomes (Vesselinov & Grego, 2012), limited independent research has reported issues related to learner persistence, motivation, and program efficacy (Lord, 2015; Nielson, 2011). The current study investigates the semester-long learning experiences and results of nine participants learning Turkish on Duolingo. The participants showed improvement on L2 measures at the end of the study, and results indicate a positive, moderate correlation between the amount of time spent on Duolingo and learning gains. In terms of perceptions of their experiences, the participants generally viewed Duolingo’s flexibility and gamification aspects positively; however, variability in motivation to study and frustration with instructional materials were also expressed.

Keywords

Duolingomobile-assisted language learningMALLself-directed language learningTurkish
Type
Regular papers
Information
ReCALL , Volume 31 , Issue 3 , September 2019 , pp. 293 - 311
Copyright
© European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2019 

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