A STUDY ON DUOLINGO MOBILE APPLICATIONS TO IMPROVE EFL STUDENTS' LISTENING COMPREHENSION PERFORMANCES

Forfattere

  • Nguyen Khanh Tuong English Studies Program, Department of English Language and Culture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
  • Thai Cong Dan Senior Lecturer, Dr., School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejae.v9i1.5342

Nøgleord:

Duolingo Mobile Applications, listening comprehension performances, EFL students

Resumé

The significance of listening comprehension in learning English as a foreign language cannot be denied, as it forms a foundational basis for effective communication and language skill development. Proficient listening skills are essential not only for understanding spoken language but also for meaningful communication, grasping nuances, and interpreting contextual cues. Furthermore, listening comprehension serves as a cornerstone for vocabulary acquisition, grammar understanding, and cultural awareness, making it one of the most crucial aspects of language learning. This study investigates the effectiveness of the Duolingo mobile application in enhancing EFL students' listening comprehension within the evolving landscape of educational methods. Data collected from 39 third-year English major students at the School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, Vietnam, through comprehensive surveys and structured interviews highlighted the students' high appreciation for Duolingo's impact on their listening abilities within the Vietnamese educational context. Students emphasized the flexibility and engaging nature of Duolingo's listening features, which immerse learners in diverse real-life situations and provide opportunities for repetitive practice. Regular engagement in these exercises was considered essential for expanding vocabulary, improving grammar, and achieving deeper language comprehension in real-world contexts. Despite receiving positive evaluations, participants identified areas for improvement, particularly emphasizing the need for diversity in pronunciation and contexts within Duolingo's listening exercises to enhance effective communication. Moreover, they suggested improvements in feedback mechanisms to provide timely and useful feedback for language learning progression. In conclusion, while the Duolingo mobile application offers promising opportunities for enhancing EFL students' listening comprehension, addressing current limitations is crucial to optimizing their effectiveness. This study underscores the importance of using mobile language learning tools like Duolingo to meet the evolving needs of language learners in an education landscape increasingly driven by technology, where listening comprehension plays a vital role in the learning and language proficiency enhancement process.

Forfatterbiografier

  • Nguyen Khanh Tuong, English Studies Program, Department of English Language and Culture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam

    Miss Nguyen Khanh Tuong is currently a senior in the English Studies Program, School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University (CTU), Vietnam, and will graduate from CTU in September 2024. She is interested in doing research about learning and teaching English at any level, IT in learning and teaching English, Intercultural Communication (ICC). She can be reached at tuongb2014279@student.ctu.edu.vn.

  • Thai Cong Dan, Senior Lecturer, Dr., School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam

    Mr. Thai Cong Dan, is currently a senior lecturer of English, School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University (CTU), Vietnam, -cum-a project manager. He has held his PhD at Naresuan University, Thailand since 2010 in Educational Administration (English program). He got his MA in Cultural aspects and Literature from University of Notre Dame du Lac, Indiana, USA in 1999. His main research interests are TEF/TESOL issues, intercultural communication, high school and higher education levels in English learning and teaching, English program management, curriculum design, testing and evaluation, ESP for Tourism, Political Education, Food Technology, professional development and educational administration. He can be reached at tcdan@ctu.edu.vn.

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Publiceret

2024-04-30

Nummer

Årg. 9 Nr. 1 (2024)

Sektion

Articles

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