Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL)

Five years ago I could hardly imagine that a mobile phone can assist any learning process. Today I can’t spend even a single day without my cell phone. In the 21^st century mobile learning is undergoing rapid evolution and mobile language learning is coming to support the educational process, especially language learning.

Though the integration of this new type of approach in language learning and teaching has been very slow, today mobile phones are the most frequently used devices in our educational life. The use of this tiny special device in language learning became possible only due to its unlimited possibilities and various programs that turned the mobile phones into smart devices to assist language learning process. The only question that arises here is how the mobile phones can support learning in the second language classroom. The answer according to Hayo Reinders is “in a number of ways”, because mobile phones come with growing functions that most students are so proficient in using them. There exist a great number of useful activities, designed for students of various ages having different language proficiency levels that can actively be used in their classroom settings. Moreover, they do not require any special knowledge or additional software or hardware.

There are several pedagogical reasons to consider using mobile phones in the second language classroom.

Firstly, phones are social tools that aid authentic and relevant communication and cooperation among learners. Second language learners can use mobile technology to access appropriate vocabulary and expressions on the given topics, they can look up movie reviews while at the theater, or they discuss

weekend plans with an English speaking friend, they can download and listen to different audio and video files, as well as podcasts.

So, one can assume that the possibilities of mobile phones are endless, the only thing that students and teachers should consider is how and when to use it.