Using mobile apps to learn English

Mobile apps are popular form of entertainment worldwide but they are more than just fun and games. There is a growing supply of educational foreign language apps. One of the most popular foreign language apps is the recently released duolingo which has enjoyed mass popularity in China.

The ways in which young people learn English has made technological leaps and bounds within the last 5 years. Before the smartphone era, students were pretty limited to English classes and good old fashioned text books. Nowadays, computers, mobile tablets and smartphones offer a vast amount of resources to aid the learning process.

Several popular English language apps include Wordpower, Englishpod and Hello-Hello. The mobile universe provides consumers with so much more than digital textbooks. They offered specialized applications that focus on reading, grammar, vocabulary, listening and of course foreign language radio apps that allow listeners in China to hear real time conversations in English.

Wu Zao is a computer science major at Tsinghua University. He offered his views on the development of educational apps.

"The improvement of English teaching apps has occurred at a rapid pace during the past couple of years. Many apps that were originally only available on a computer are now available on smartphones. Popular English textbooks such as new concept English are also now available on mobile devices. The rise in popularity of these apps is tied with the convenience of using a smartphone. English apps are very creative and constantly use new innovative methods to teach students. There are also other helpful apps such as broadcasting mobile apps, the advancements made in this field provide students with a wide variety of methods to improve their English."

The latest app to hit this ever-growing market is duolingo; this particular product allows for students to learn a foreign language without any fees or advertisements. It gained over 1.5 million users in its first week and china has been quoted as the second biggest market for this language learning aid. Duolingo's huge success can be partially attributed the manner in which users learn English; the app offers entertaining games to keep the customer interested whilst learning.

"I think the app is pretty good; I would use it in my spare time but would not focus my study plan around it. Most Chinese students are still more accustomed to learning through books and this feels more like playing a game. After playing it though I think I could get used to it."

"I like the app but it is a bit slow. You have to keep pressing continue after every question, which is a bit annoying. I would prefer this app if it was a bit faster. I do like how the app tests your listening. It would be better if you could adjust the difficulty rather than having to work up to the more difficult phases of the app. For me personally I would like an app that is able to operate while you are listening to music. If this was the case I could use it when I am on the subway and listening to music."

Old fashioned scholars may not be able to fully appreciate the benefits of language orientated apps. Whilst they are not a substitute for a tutor, they work as a very strong learning supplement. Apps for learning English are often designed in an entertaining format which allows for students studying a foreign language to continue expanding the language skills after class without feeling pressured or burdened.

These digital language tools are also very cost effective, tuition rates are constantly increasing and paperback textbooks can be more than 50 dollars a piece in the United States. Smart phone apps usually only cost a couple of dollars and they offer a much higher level of convenience, allowing students to have constant access to learning materials without having to lug a heavy book bag around all day.

I sat down with Beijing Language University English teacher, Zhu Wenyan, to discuss how mobile apps can be used to study English.

"I have not incorporated the use of apps into my lesson plan. I do however regularly promote apps to help improve my students listening such as the news+ radio app. I personally feel that making my students listen to news reports helps their English a lot. Electronic textbook Apps would be very useful for me. A lot of my students find traditional textbooks quite boring. I would love to use digital textbooks that make learning more interesting for my students. Other apps that teach English pose the problem of students getting distracted and using social media or playing games rather than learning."

Mobile apps are playing an increasingly pivotal role in education. This does not just apply to languages, electronic textbooks are now being used in classrooms across the globe for both natural and social sciences. These resources are not only more productive but they are also more environmentally green than traditional books.

The technology for language apps specifically is still at a point where it works as a supplement for students. As this technology develops, the role mobile apps play in learning foreign languages will increase. Teachers and students may someday wonder how they ever lived without them, if they do not already do so.