MALL

OR

Mobile- Assisted Language Learning

How can we use mobile devices in ESL/EFL classes? Or how can we as ESL/EFL teachers use them in teaching? What are the mobile devices?

Mobiles mean all the devices that one can carry and use them easily. But how can we use these devices in teaching and learning?

I think the idea of using mobile devices like ipads, iphones, ipod, mp3 player and so many others is incredible, because students can use them inside and outside the classroom very practically and I personally experienced that with a group of learners who were tweeting every day for almost two months. They didn’t tweet only for the class but they even started to chat using English in everyday contexts. They were all excited and whenever I forget to check their tweets they ask me to do so to be sure of their correct use of English. I totally agree with the ideas of the article “Twenty ideas for using mobile phones in the language classroom” by Hayo Reinders that those devices facilitates authentic communication among the second language learners, and they practice their language anytime and anywhere.

Here are some examples of how to use those devices for different kinds of activities in EFL/ESL classes, students can take notes, do some short writing like text messaging, listening, speaking, voice chatting, reading, blogging, surfing, tweeting and many others. The only thing that I didn’t know before our class discussion was producing flashcards which I really liked.

Of course using MALL has its own negative sides depends on the age of the second language learners, because students might use the devices for other purposes rather than completing the task and specially the young learners and the teens. However, no one can deny the advantages of using the mobile devices in ESL teaching and their addition of fun and joy to the learning process while practicing.