The smartphone as a tool to enrich an english language classroom in an EFL environment

Abstract

Smartphones are ubiquitous all over the world and Lebanon is no exception. Arabic speaking students in Lebanon carry smartphones and use them constantly for a variety of purposes. For years, in Lebanon, smartphones have been a source of disruption in the English language classroom and its potential as a learning tool has been overlooked. This research set out to investigate what teachers and students thought of the device as a language learning tool. Data were gathered that informed how the smartphone could be incorporated in an English language class with students approaching the B1 level of the Common European Framework of language skill. Perceptions and attitudes of the teachers and students towards its use were investigated. Data collection methods included class observations, student questionnaires and teacher interviews. The findings revealed that the use of the smartphone in class has positive effects on students engagement in their language learning. In addition, the findings reveal that effective implementation of the smartphone in educational contexts relies largely on the teachers expertise in the use of the smartphone and ability to manage the process.