Enhancing Vocabulary Learning and Self-regulation via a Mobile Application: An Investigation of the Memrise App

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of the use of mobile application (app) of Memrise on the second language (L۲) vocabulary learning and self-regulatory capacity in vocabulary acquisition. In so doing, a sample of ۵۹ Iranian English-as-a-foreign language (EFL) learners from two intact classes participated in this quasi-experimental study. The two classes were randomly assigned to the experimental group (N=۳۳) and the control group (N=۲۶). Over a period of ۱۳-week semester, the students in the experimental group made use of Memrise app to learn the new vocabulary items while those in the control group learned the new words traditionally without use of any app or technological devices. The multiple choice recognition test of vocabulary and self-regulating capacity in vocabulary learning scale were administered to collect the data. The findings revealed that Memrise helped students improve their L۲ vocabulary learning and self-regulating capacity more than the control group. The findings provide implications for L۲ researchers and practitioners.

Keywords:

Memrise , App learning , vocabulary learning , self-regulation , MALL