Acceptance and engagement patterns of mobile-assisted language learning among non-conventional adult L2 learners: A survival analysis

• Published in: Studies in second language acquisition Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 969 - 995
• Main Authors: Hwang, Hyun-Bin, Coss, Matthew D., Loewen, Shawn, Tagarelli, Kaitlyn M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Adult learning; Behavior; Cluster analysis; Computer assisted language learning; Educational Environment; Educational technology; English (Second Language); English as a second language; English Language Learners; Influence; Influence of Technology; Instructional design; Intention; Language acquisition; Learner Controlled Instruction; Learner Engagement; MOOCs; Multivariate Analysis; Online instruction; Pauses; Persistence; Portable computers; Predictor Variables; Second language learning; Self Efficacy; Smartphones; Social Influences; Survival analysis; Technology Acceptance Model; Technology adoption; Time; Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL); persistence; engagement; survival analysis; Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT); recurrent event analysis
• ISSN: 0272-2631; 1470-1545
• DOI: 10.1017/S0272263124000354

Research on mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) has revealed that high rates of attrition among users can undermine the potential benefits of this learning method. To explore this issue, we surveyed 3,670 adult MALL users based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and also conducted an in-depth analysis of their historical app usage data. The results of hierarchical k-means cluster analysis and recurrent event survival analysis revealed three major findings. First, three distinct profiles of learners were characterized by different MALL acceptance and engagement experiences. Second, those with greater MALL acceptance displayed more intense, frequent, and durable app usage (behavioral engagement). Lastly, high levels of MALL acceptance were associated with more frequent pauses in app usage but also (a) longer active usage, (b) shorter breaks before returning to the app, and, ultimately, (c) fewer dropouts. We argue that persistence is a multidimensional process involving cyclical phases of engagement, disengagement, dormancy, and reengagement, with each aspect, like intensity, frequency, and duration, building up cumulatively over time. Implications for promoting persistent MALL engagement are discussed.