Popularity and effectiveness of smartphones in English language learning: perceptions of undergraduate students and their teachers

Abstract

The study, qualitative in nature, examines the effectiveness and acceptance of smartphones in English language learning among the tertiary level students in Bangladesh. Smartphones can be incorporated with English language learning both inside and outside classrooms. Almost every student at the tertiary level in private universities in Bangladesh owns a smartphone and they use it for various purposes. It is also noticed that students use mobile phone quite often when they are in the classroom. Number of researches, mainly in western context, investigated the incorporation of mobile phone in teaching and learning and, especially, in language learning. This study, however, is set to explore tertiary students and teachers’ attitude and perception regarding the popularity of mobile phone as a learning aid at the tertiary level in Bangladesh. Data for this research were collected through interviews with teachers and students. Results show that there is a great potentiality of using mobile phone in teaching and learning in Bangladesh context. However there are many obstacles that need to overcome before making it a regular practice. Finally some recommendations are made so that mobile technology can bring positive result in teaching and learning in the tertiary level in Bangladesh.