Leveraging the Power of Mobile Technology to Enhance ESP Students’ Listening Comprehension Ability

Abstract

The ubiquitous nature of mobile devices and the expanding array of mobile learning applications enable the foreign language acquisition to take place outside the traditional classroom environment. This study conducted a mobile-assisted instructional experiment where the design and development of a mobile application were accomplished to serve students with diverse learning needs in a business English communication class, and with special emphasis on the practice and improvement of listening skills. The instruments used in this study include two tests, weekly quizzes and an attitude survey. The findings demonstrated positive effects of the mobile learning on ESP students with regards to their listening comprehension. Most of the students enjoyed having access to the mobile materials specifically designed to improve their learning performance. They perceived such technology-enhanced learning as a practical method for acquiring foreign language skills, because it provided them with an opportunity to accomplish learning tasks anywhere and at any time.