Title: Learning English with the mobile language learning application 'Duolingo': the experiences of three working adults at different proficiency levels

Authors: Fan Su; Di Zou

Addresses: Department of English Language Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China ' Department of English Language Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

Abstract: Duolingo, one of the most popular mobile applications for English learning, has been studied extensively to assess the effectiveness of Duolingo-Assisted Language Learning (DALL). However, most studies have focused on learning outcomes, few have discussed the learning process, and even fewer have investigated working adults. Accordingly, the present study investigated the DALL experiences of three Chinese working adults who graduated from colleges and continued to learn English for various purposes. The three who were at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels had been learning English with Duolingo for a month. Throughout this month, they reported their learning experiences through think-aloud protocols and reflective learning logs, after which they were interviewed. The results indicated that the basic-level learner used more strategies than the intermediate- and advanced-level learners, which enriched the literature. All three participants showed generally positive perceptions of Duolingo. They moved up to higher course levels after one-month Duolingo learning, indicating that language learners may consider using Duolingo for self-access language learning.

Keywords: mobile-assisted language learning; Duolingo; English; learning experience; learning process; learning strategies; psychological states; multi-case study; learning proficiency; working adults.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2022.125959

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2022 Vol.16 No.4, pp.409 - 428

Received: 04 Mar 2021
Accepted: 13 May 2021
Published online: 05 Oct 2022 *

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