Abstract

Recent years have witnessed numerous systematic investigations on mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). However, very few research synthesis studies focused on the higher education context in mainland China. This paper provides a systematic review of the findings of 23 studies published between 2015 and 2020 in mainland China. The aim of this review is twofold: 1) to examine prevalent researched elements in extant MALL studies; and 2) to investigate ways in which the two original components of the Situated Learning Theory (SLT), including Legitimate Peripheral Participation and Communities of Practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991), have a bearing on MALL. This systematic review resulted in two major findings. First, five key researched elements were revealed, e.g., target language teaching areas, and adopted applications/software. Second, guided by the two original elements of SLT, four derived elements were identified, namely authenticity, social interactions and collaborations, apprenticeship learning, and beliefs and behaviours. The findings suggest the need to develop sound MALL pedagogies associated with sociocultural aspects of language learning in relevant contexts. This review study also provides insights into how Chinese language professionals and practitioners can improve curriculum design and resource development to adapt to future trends in MALL.

Details

Title
Mobile-assisted language learning in Chinese higher education context: a systematic review from the perspective of the situated learning theory
Author
Li, Fan 1 ; Fan, Si 1 ; Wang, Yanjun 2 

 University of Tasmania, School of Education, College of Arts, Law and Education, Launceston, Australia (GRID:grid.1009.8) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 826X) 
 University of Tasmania, School of Humanities, College of Arts, Law and Education, Tasmania, Australia (GRID:grid.1009.8) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 826X) 
Pages
9665-9688
Publication year
2022
Publication date
Aug 2022
Publisher
Springer Nature B.V.
ISSN
13602357
e-ISSN
15737608
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2708875089
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2022. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.