The perception of Iraqi EFL learners towards the use of MALL applications for speaking improvement

Abstract

The current study is an attempt to understand the perceptions of Iraqi EFL learners about the use of Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) applications for the purpose of speaking skills improvement. The respondents of the study are 51 EFL students enrolled in the Bachelor program in the department of English Language in the Faculty of Education for Humanities at Anbar University, Rammadi, Iraq. The respondents are chosen from different academic years. The data collection is carried out using a structured interview questions adopted form Son's (2016) study. However, the adopted interview survey is structured in the form of open questions rather than close questions (See Appendix A). The open interview questions give the respondents more freedom in clarifying their perceptions about the proposed MALL applications, whereby the researcher could collect rich information about the preferred characteristics of MALL applications for EFL students to improve their English speaking skills. The results of the study revealed that the respondents have a positive view and attitude towards using MALL applications for speaking improvement. The outcome of the study is advantageous for learners, teachers and language academies to highlight the importance of using MALL applications for language skills improvement and speaking skills in particular.