Using a Mobile Vocabulary Application to Enhance L2 Learners’ Vocabulary Acquisition: Possibilities and Challenges

The use of mobile technologies has increasingly changed how students learn in the digital age. This study examined the effectiveness of using a mobile application called Shanbay Dan-Ci (SBDC) for acquiring new English vocabulary. Participants included 70 Chinese undergraduate L2 learners. Following a quasi-experimental design, two groups of L2 learners were randomly assigned to two conditions: using the Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) application or using traditional wordlists. A mixed methods approach examined the effectiveness of using MALL applications in developing L2 learners’ vocabulary knowledge and exploring L2 learners’ vocabulary learning experiences. Results indicated that L2 learners who used SBDC outperformed those who used wordlists, though the difference was not statistically significant. The results also revealed that L2 learners' SBDC learning experiences were highly impacted by certain learning features and strategies such as personalized learning, rich content, and collaboration. The discussion concludes with possible reasons for the statistically insignificant findings, the challenges of learning in a mobile environment, and implications and directions for future research.