Педагогические науки/1.
Дистанционное образование
Chyzhykova I.V., Bilins′ka L.I., Bozhok O.I.
Prydniprovsk
State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Ukraine
Mobile apps and platforms in language learning
We live in a multilingual world that is becoming
increasingly globalized and it is therefore very important to know more than
one language. There are three main reasons for this: an additional language can
help you progress in your career, you gain an awareness of other cultures, and
it helps increase our understanding and knowledge of our own language. Rapid
developments in teaching are conditioned by social and technological changes.
Keeping up to date with these developments within education will pay dividends
with improved teaching skills. All modern teachers need to be competent in many
areas of modern life and technology. [1, 95]
Learning languages is great. But if you decide to
learn a new language the next question is how? Nowadays there are a lot of
different ways to learn a language: online or tutored language courses, going
abroad, reading books and doing reading, listening and speaking tasks on your
own or perhaps what might be considered the most modern way: using an app on
your mobile phone which makes language learning easy and accessible to
everyone. The most attractive argument for a lot of people is that you can
learn whenever, wherever and whatever you want. It is your own decision. Here
are some advantages and disadvantages which may help you with your decision:
Pros
The most convincing argument might be the
independence. You are free to learn at any time you want or wherever you want. Most
of the Mobile Apps providers often work with visualization which can be very
helpful for remembering vocabulary or important sentences. Some of the Mobile
Apps providers also have speaking tasks. It is accessible for everyone who has
a mobile phone, tablet or computer – you don`t have to find a language school.
Also the price for the Mobile Apps is much lower than for real language courses
online or in a language school. What’s cool about the apps? They are fun and
make language learning into a game. Push notifications prod you into activity
if you leave the apps alone for too long. This really helps you to practice
daily, which is important when learning a language. Leaderboards encourage you
to compete with your friends. [4]
Cons
The lack of control can be a problem for those of you
who don`t have much self-discipline. Learning a language only once a week isn`t
very efficient. Mobile Apps are very impersonal compared to face-to-face
courses online or in language schools. You only “communicate” with a computer
but can`t have a real conversation with them. Mobile Apps do need a working
internet connection. If your mobile service or Wifi
doesn`t work you won`t be able to do your tasks. [2]
There are a lot of great places where you can purchase
educational software today. One such place is Sebran’s
ABC. This site has freeware that teaches numbers, letters and basic math and reading
skills. Once you are ready to move beyond this level, you can try incorporating
math, geography, and English and Spanish quizzes from Quiz Tree. You can find
this type of educational software from Bagatrix. [3]
Language learning applications assist users with
vocabulary, context and grammar through online lessons, educational games,
quizzes and progress tracking tools. AppAppeal ranks
all language learning apps based on worldwide popularity.
Myngle
offers students
and teachers in different locations an online language instruction platform.
Busuu is an online community for studying languages and
improving language and writing skills.
Papora is a language learning tool that gives users many
ways to master a foreign language.
Babbel is a language learning platform. It exchanges with
native speakers or learning partners.
LingQ
is a language
learning service, where you get help from a personal tutor, study online and meet
people from around the world.
Livemocha is a language learning site, where you take online
lessons, practice with native speakers and learn to speak a foreign language.
Mango Languages is an easy, fast and effective way to learn languages
online.
EnglishCentral turns popular web videos into language learning
experiences.
Verbling
presents
internet users with a quick way to connect with a real person who speaks a
language they want to learn.
Duolingo is a free online language learning tool that is
quickly expanding. Users can choose from a list of languages.
Voxy provides language lessons that use content of your
choosing (e.g. that is a story about your favorite team, etc.).
MyHappyPlanet.com is an online community for people who are interested
in learning languages. [5]
Learning a new language via a Mobile App can be very
helpful to practice to “help things sink in” but if you are a total beginner
you may be more successful taking a language course or going abroad. However,
it might be useful in combination with language courses online or at a language
school or if you just want to refresh things, e.g. before going on a journey or
if you have a lack of vocabulary in a certain topic. [2]
Literature:
1. Pererva K.M. Modern English teaching skills// Актуальні проблеми навчання іноземних студентів. Матеріали
міжвузівської науково-практичної конференції. –Дніпропетровськ, 2016. –с.95-96
3.http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/102583-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-educational-software-in-the-classroom/
4.https://blog.esl-languages.com/blog/learn-languages/language-learning-apps-immersion-fluency/