Using mobile devices for listening and speaking practice in languages: the L120 mobile project

Demouy, Valérie; Eardley, Annie; Kukulska-Hulme, Agnes and Thomas, Rhodri (2010). Using mobile devices for listening and speaking practice in languages: the L120 mobile project. In: Eurocall 2010, Languages, Cultures and Virtual Communities, 8-11 Sep 2010, Bordeaux, France.

URL: http://eurocall2010.u-bordeaux4.fr/

Abstract

The Department of Languages at the Open University has always been keen to explore the use of new technologies to deliver its language courses more effectively and dynamically. As mobile learning is playing an increasingly significant role in distance learning and e-learning, we are investigating the benefits it can provide to our language students. It is in this context that the L120 Mobile Project took place. The project ran between May and July 2009 and focused on exploring the use of mobile devices in relation to listening and speaking skills. It involved students from L120 Ouverture, the French Intermediate course. One group of participants downloaded audio resources from the course website to their MP3 players or iPods and was asked to use their device to listen to audio clips. The second group tried out speaking activities via their mobile phones. In both cases, the audio resources or the activities the participants worked on were taken or adapted from L120 course materials. Both groups were asked to report via weekly short online questionnaires that included questions on functionality, context, frequency of use, the types of activities preferred. We investigated what learners thought about using mobile devices to practise listening and speaking skills, whether we should provide interactive listening and speaking activities to suit mobile devices and more generally how to integrate mobile technologies in our courses.

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