Title: Acceptance and implications of smartphones for informal language learning in foreign study tours

Authors: Tingting Li; Di Zou; Xiaojing Weng; Minhong Wang; Haoran Xie; Fu Lee Wang

Addresses: Department of Mathematics and Information Technology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China ' Department of English Language Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China ' Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China ' Division of Information & Technology Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China ' Department of Mathematics and Information Technology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Abstract: Technological developments have greatly influenced the field of mobile-assisted language learning. To have a better understanding of the applications of digital devices in educational settings, this paper aims to assess the possible acceptance of smartphones for informal language learning in foreign study tours, and investigate the main factors influencing their acceptance. The United Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was modified and then used as the technology acceptance framework for this study. A total of 94 secondary students and 104 in-service secondary school language teachers in Lanzhou, China, were surveyed for this purpose. The results of the statistical analysis showed that students and language teachers shared a similar moderate-to-high level of acceptance towards adopting smartphones for informal language learning in foreign study tours. In addition, their acceptance level was strongly influenced by the facilitating conditions, followed by other elements including social influence, attitude and performance expectancy, successively.

Keywords: united theory of acceptance and use of technology model; mobile learning; mobile-assisted language learning; English language education; foreign study tours; APPs; regression analysis; secondary schools; teachers and students; smartphone adoption.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2020.110783

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2020 Vol.14 No.4, pp.456 - 477

Received: 02 Feb 2019
Accepted: 28 Jul 2019
Published online: 29 Oct 2020 *

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