An Investigation of the Effectiveness of English Langage Apps for EFL Vocabulary Building
Anna Wing-bo Tso
As new media and web technologies proliferate in the digital era, digital experiences play an increasingly significant role in modern life. In order to help students learn English vocabulary, educators and app designers have developed various English language learning apps which attract and engage students. As more and more university students rely on apps to study English, there is a need to evaluate the designs, contents, and effectiveness of the language apps for learning English as a foreign language (EFL). With a special focus on vocabulary building for EFL university students in Hong Kong, this study first looks into the chances and challenges in English vocabulary learning and teaching through interviews with teachers and a student survey at a university in Hong Kong. Then, it examines the contents and designs of some current English language learning apps commonly used by Hong Kong EFL students. Subsequently, the paper discusses the criteria for evaluating effective EFL language apps that help EFL students improve their vocabulary skills.
