On Mobile-assisted Language Learning (MALL) and Iranian EFL Learners'Depth of Vocabulary Knowledge in Writing Skill: Minab Context, Iran

Since the contagion of the devastating pandemic of Covid-۱۹ during the past two years, lives of millions of people have been dramatically affected throughout the world, in the aftermath of which people have also been forced to change the way they have been living before. One of the ways in which educational authorities strove to meet the exigencies of their applicants or candidates during the pandemic has been Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL). To this end, the present study sought to investigate the effect of MALL on Iranian EFL learners' depth of vocabulary knowledge in writing skill. Through the use of a quasi-experimental research approach, an attempt was made to collect the required data from a total of ۲۰ students (۱۰ students for control group and ۱۰ ones for experimental one each) from Daneshgah English Language Institute (D.E.I.) located in Minab, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Then, pre- and post-tests were run in order to evaluate the participants' performance before and after the intervention. To analyze and compute the data, use was made of SPSS. The results revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control one in that reaching to a depth of vocabulary knowledge in writing activities via MALL is prioritized than other language components students intend to improve. Furthermore, students found hand-held devices more comfortable and suitable to use for developing their vocabulary than other traditional vocabulary learning tools. Hence, mobile applications are effective vocabulary learning tools due to the unlimited opportunities they offer. This study offers some implications for online language teachers and learners.

Keywords:

Mobile-assisted Language Learning (MALL) , Online learning , Vocabulary knowledge , Writing Skill