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Effectiveness of Mobile Apps in Language Learning: A Comparative Study of Duolingo and Traditional Classroom Methods
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| 1.74 MB | Adobe PDF |
Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Education is suffering a massive modernisation, and the field of Language Learning is no exception.
Traditional methods used to teach a language from scratch are being challenged by contemporary
Information Systems, especially by Mobile Language Learning Apps (LLAs). The popularity, convenience
and gamified experience of the most popular LLA - Duolingo – has attracted millions of users to learn
a language every day. This study develops both approaches and compares them, testing its
effectiveness in Language teaching, in a complex Language setting: Chinese Mandarin. Data associated
with the performance in language acquisition (LA), was mainly collected twice: before the study, in a
Diagnostic test and afterwards, in a Final Exam that comprehended specific topics like Characters
recognition, Listening comprehension and Pronunciation. In a study of 31 final participants, Traditional
approach students, scored on average, greater than Duolingo students, in every aspect of evaluation,
including the Final Score which is divided in a Writing Part and an Oral one. Although, the efficiency of
the Duolingo group was proved to be higher, on average, than the ones on Traditional side. Both
groups, overall scored poorly in certain areas, such as Character recognition, exposing the complexity
of the Chinese Language from scratch, although the difference between both is observable. The lack
of dialogue capabilities is also unimpressive from the Duolingo approach, where students are not able
to answer a simple question, hindering fluency. Duolingo, as it stands, is not able to fully replace a
professor, by not providing optimal results, despite its potential as a complementary tool, due to its
constant access ability and for the introduction of new vocabulary.
Descrição
Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Information Systems and Technologies Management
Palavras-chave
m-Learning Language Learning App Duolingo Chinese Language Traditional Education Learning SDG 4 - Quality education SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth SDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure SDG 10 - Reduced inequalities SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals