The use of smartphones to enhance language learning

The advancement of mobile technology and the growing population owning a smartphone have caused smarthphones to be language-learning tools that are equipped with sound multimedia function. This fact has promoted the conduction of research and projects about language learning and mobile technology (Lee, Hsu & Shih, 2014). The findings presented in this mixed methods research are part of a study investigating students’ perceptions regarding the use of smartphones to enhance English language learning at a public university in East Mexico. Data reveals that there is great acceptance of smartphones for English language learning at this Mexican public institution. Participants in this research answered that they generally use smartphones for school work, social networks, communication, entertainment and business. They also indicated that by recording a conversation between a doctor and a patient with their smartphone, they mainly learnt how to pronounce some English words, new vocabulary in English and how to use their smartphone for an educational purpose.