Mobile Technology Facilitates Language Learning

The role of YouTube in enhancing language learning skills

* Course: CALL/ Computer Assisted Language Learning

*Instructor: Dr. Tasneem AL-Naimi

Student: Doaa Al-Kelani*

Duaa-wal@outlook.com

November, 2017
Introduction

Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in hands of great'

(teachers is transformational! '(Couros, 2017

Looking at the big transition that technology cause in the 21 century since its

emergence in almost every field in our lives is absolutely stunning, including the

educational field. Technology becomes the key for teachers who are seeking ways to

facilitate teaching and learning process as well, referring to the process of language

learning in specific, in this area two major concepts worth mentioning, the first is

CALL​, stands for Computer Assisted Language Learning which is 'the search for and

study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning.'( Levy,

1997).The second concept is ​MALL​ which will be the main focus of this paper, I will

shed the light on the significance of using ​MALL​ inside and outside language learning

.classes suggesting ​YouTube​ as a perfect tool to enhance listening and speaking skills

What is MALL?

Mobile devices continue to grow as important part of individual's life, including

students that most of them spend at least 8-10 hours on their mobiles per day; from

this point raise the question: why such an integral part of student's life plays a role in

?their educational environment

MALL​, which stands for Mobile Assisted Language Learning; means simply the use of

mobile in facilitating language learning in specific by involving tech tools within.

However, teachers still think that students should switch off their mobile phones

when the class begins, forgetting that this could be a wealth source that is feasible to

the language teaching and learning, (Zane L. Berge, 2013) states 'm-learning has the
potential to revolutionize the way that people learn"; due to, I will emphasize the

need to adopt the use of mobile devices in language learning classes (English as a

.(second and foreign language in specific

With a previous and significant preparation and guidance from a skilled language

teacher, the use of mobiles will enrich the whole learning process, make it more

meaningful, allow the students to access the content and communicate with their

classmates through collaborative or individual activities, all of this and more will for

.sure change the atmosphere from the usual traditional ways of learning

According to the type of the activity applied comes the advantage of using mobiles in

the language learning process. Therefore, in order to achieve more satisfying results

and vary the activities, mobile devices need to be applied not just inside the

classroom walls but also outside them, taking into consideration blended learning

.classes in this case

Teachers can be creative in this, and they can get benefit from the smallest part in it;

the recorder​ application could be one example of this, after dividing students into

small groups, give them a topic and ask them to record their conversation talking

about that topic using the target language (which is English here), after finishing they

can listen to their performance they recorded in front of the class, and get an

immediate feedback from the teacher and even other students, by doing so they will

know their weaknesses and strengths of pronunciation level, as well as increasing

the spirit of collaboration among students. Furthermore, teachers can make the

learning process even more interesting through playing that games many
applications offers, which focuses on developing a specific skill of language​; ​like

(DUOLINGO ​for example (Mentor, 2016

When it comes to applying ​MALL​ outside the class, several activities can be done;

and since it is a blended learning class, students can independently complete certain

component of the course outside of the classroom provided previously by the

teacher as an assignment, this could be a video or audio about a specific topic, and

ask them to list the vocabulary they found it difficult with their meanings using a

beneficial dictionary recommended by the teacher, so when they come back to class

they can discuss their experience or have a quiz .These activities are solved

.individually to prepare more authentic students as well as build their confidences

Nevertheless, the teacher has to be aware of linking everything students acquire

inside the class to the materials given outside the class, and provide them with clear

.instructions in order to reach the wanted goals

While ​MALL​ clearly offers great promise, it is also important to consider the

limitations inherent in mobile learning applications, including for example the

tendency toward distraction especially outside the classroom and the perceived

.need to be connected almost all the time

YouTube

Launched in 2005, the most popular site for uploading, rating, commenting, sharing

and watching online videos (Jalaluddin, 2016). ​YouTube​ which I personally call the

"online book" can be an adequate tool for language learning. ​YouTube​ has a lot of

English language lessons and English language learning channels available for free,
presented by native and non- native speakers of English who deal with different

.topics related to English

Relating this to ​MALL​,​ YouTube​ application on mobile is much easier to access, and

could be highly beneficial. Since ​YouTube​ mainly focuses on developing listening

skills, the teacher can test students listening level by asking them to open the app on

their mobiles and access a certain video related to the material, here teachers can

provide further benefits if the video is talking about grammar or how to improve

writing skills for instance, allowing them to use subtitles in case of having issues

concerned with the vocabulary being spoken, and ask them to present a summary

about what they have heard ,through this activity; students will not only enhance

their listening skills but further their speaking skills, pronunciation and

comprehension, because students can see how the speakers mouth moves in the

video; this will for sure help in better understanding and get the correct way to

speak, Nomass defined listening as the process 1of analyzing and understanding the

speech of the speaker (2013). This activity can be done collaboratively in case one of

the students is out of the connection. However, language learning requires more

than just watching videos to improve listening without actual practice, in this

situation ​YouTube​ can be a key role to practice outside the class to improve their

independence working skills; in the blended learning day, a teacher can give students

a name for a specific English language learning trusted channel like ​BBC​, and ask

them to watch the videos presented on it, know the nature of topics, evaluate it and

introduce it to students in coming class, this also can be done in pairs so the two

students will communicate in English when planning their presentation. Another

channel which could be also recommended is​" Speak English with Misterduncan";
his​ ​well-made videos, the variation of topics he chooses beside his sense of humor

.can add more excitement and motivation to the learning process

A study was conducted on a number of students at University Of Florida, in order to

examine learner's attitude towards using ​YouTube​ in language learning (specifically

English); the results showed a high positive feedback, the majority of the students

finds ​YouTube​ an interesting and invaluable tool during their language learning

.((Azadeh Shafaei, 2010

Limitations and concerns

Although ​YouTube​, as it mentioned, seems a profitable tool, several concerns need

to be considered, starting from the accessibility to the internet to reach videos,

another concern has to do with the advertisement that appears while watching

.videos which may distract student's attention

Conclusion

All teachers have to be aware of the huge impact that ​MALL​ can add to language

learning process, taking into consideration ​YouTube​ as a necessary tool to be

implemented in the process, Brook (2011) states that 'YouTube is a tool that

facilitates language learning and teaching, boost confidence, provides authentic

materials and also increases the participation of the students' (as cited in Jalaluddin,

2017). In spite of some concerns with the use of it; the benefits clearly outweigh

them. I recommend teachers to start planning seriously to adopt ​MALL​, because

once they see the effective outcomes they will be more encouraged not just to use it

but also to innovate ideas and activities to reach more interesting learning
environment, and eventually see it as normal part in every learning process in the

.(near future, as it will be something predestined (Kukulska & Hulmer 2006

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