The Use of Apps in Foreign Language Education: A Survey-Driven Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand why advancements in technology were not being implemented in foreign language education and how those new technologies could improve foreign language education. This study surveyed 114 foreign language students in order to gain information on how they used technology to learn a foreign language. The questions on the survey related to the topics of attitudes toward technology in general, the students’ accessibility and academic/personal use of technology tools, and their awareness and usage of specific foreign language learning mobile apps. It was found that apps like Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, and Babbel are more often used than other language learning apps, they fulfill crucial elements of education, and students prioritize facility of use, accessibility, and price when deciding whether to keep an app or not.