The Effects of Text Messaging on Spelling Ability of Teenage EFL Learners in Iran

This research explored the effect of text messaging on spelling ability of 13 to 18 year-old Iranian teenage EFL learners. 82% of participants reported sending an average of 5 text messages per day. Approximate equal use of multi-press and predictive entry method was also concluded from the data collected in the study. When learners were asked to re-write 30 words as the they would in a text message, they produced various abbreviations (textisms) (M = 53%). Producing textisms was significantly positively correlated with learners’ spelling ability which is also in line with previous findings of positive relationships between literacy and learners’ textism.

Keywords:

predictive text messaging , mobile phone , spelling , textism