Teachers’ conceptions and practices of mobile language learning and teaching

• Published in: Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning
• Main Authors: Tang, Jinlan, Kukulska-Hulme, Agnes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 04.07.2025
• ISSN: 2748-3479; 2748-3479
• DOI: 10.1515/jccall-2024-0022

Though teacher conceptions of mobile language learning might affect their own language learning and their teaching practices, this is an area seldom examined. To address this paucity of research, fifty-nine students in an MA ELT (English Language Teaching) program, the majority of whom were in-service teachers, were investigated, via an open-ended survey, as to their understanding of mobile language learning and how they undertook mobile language learning and teaching. The results revealed that over eighty percent of the students understood mobile language learning as learning at any time and in any place or as the use of mobile technologies for learning. The participants mainly used mobile devices to practice their listening, reading and vocabulary. A cross-sectional analysis demonstrated that conceptualizing mobile learning as learning at any time and in any place is linked to the practices of listening, reading and online classes, while the conception of mobile learning as using mobile technologies is primarily associated with learning vocabulary, which indicates that conceptions of mobile learning are connected to learning practices. In terms of teaching, the participants reported mobile devices offered the most assistance via enhancing teaching effects, offering richer resources, helping with assigning homework, and communication with parents and students. The findings contribute to our understanding of teacher conceptions of mobile language learning and their teaching practices, which bear significant implications for mobile pedagogy and teacher education.