The effectiveness of app‐based language instruction for developing receptive linguistic knowledge and oral communicative ability

Abstract

Hundreds of millions of language learners around the globe study a second language with popular apps such as Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, Busuu, and Babbel. This study examined the effectiveness of one app, Babbel, for developing both receptive linguistic knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, as well as oral communicative ability in Spanish as a second language. Fifty‐four English speakers not enrolled in Spanish classes studied Spanish on Babbel over the course of 12 weeks, with a goal of studying roughly 10 min per day. Participants completed pretests and posttests, and provided data on their motivation to learn Spanish and use Babbel. Results showed that learners were able to develop grammar and vocabulary knowledge as well as oral communicative ability. The amount of Babbel study time was the strongest predictor for all three measures, with motivation to learn Spanish also significantly predicting growth in oral communicative ability.

iPad‐assistedreading fluency instruction for fourth graders with reading difficulties: A single case experimental design

“…To support struggling readers, some of the effective features of iPad applications include vocabulary support (e.g., Loewen, Isbell, & Sporn, 2020; Ludwig, 2018; Retter, Anderson, & Kieran, 2013) as well as self‐regulation (e.g., Vogelgesang, Bruhn, Coghill‐Behrends, Kern, & Troughton, 2016; Wills & Mason, 2014; Xin, Sheppard, & Brown, 2017). For example, Loewen et al (2020) examined the effectiveness of the iPad application for second language learning to develop students' knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and oral communication in Spanish. The iPad application allowed students to learn progressive lessons within the application by using subsequent lessons that successively build upon key instructional components covered in the previous lessons.…”

Tecnología e impacto social en la enseñanza de español

“…Babbel afirma que permite hablar una lengua meta desde el primer día, lo cual no encaja necesariamente con la experiencia de aprendizaje de este tutorial, lastrada por la falta de interacción y producción abierta o semiabierta. Sin embargo, un estudio reciente, patrocinado por Babbel, demuestra de forma empírica que la aplicación permite a sus usuarios desarrollar el conocimiento de vocabulario y gramática y, más importante, su capacidad de comunicación oral al nivel principiante en español (Loewen, Isbell y Sporn, 2020). En 12 semanas, más de la mitad de los 54 participantes fueron capaces de incrementar un subnivel dentro del nivel principiante, con un test que mide su capacidad de comunicación oral.…”

Transition From Face-to-Face to Online Instruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploration of Iranian EFL University Lecturers’ Attitudes

“…In the past 20 years, considerable research regarding online instruction in higher education demonstrated that students who were enrolled in full online learning programs were faced with a system shock and were not familiar with such experience (Fawaz, Samaha, 2020). In recent years, online learning has emerged as one of the most effective educational approaches and the role of technology in foreign language development is a crucial topic (Loewen, Isbell, & Sporn, 2020;Reinders & Stockwell, 2017; Rosell-Aguilar, 2018). Thus, today's online learning offers valuable educational materials employing a variety of media, as well as the capacity to enable both synchronous and asynchronous communication between teachers and students (Aboagye, 2020; Means, Toyama, Murphy, Bakia, & Jones, 2009).…”