Designing Mobile Apps for English Vocabulary Learning

Since the 21 st century, with the development of high technologies, such as Internet, tablets, and smartphones, there are more innovative ways to learn English. For example, people are able to use technologies to send messages, present ideas or share information anytime, anywhere. However, most of the mobile apps for English learning purposes in Taiwan are designed and presented in English interface. This is good for high level students, but the low level students may feel difficult and frustrated. Hence, the paper presents a pilot study and aims to develop a mobile app to improve college students' English vocabulary learning with both English and Chinese descriptions. The NGSL list is used as the content in the app, and the researcher designs twenty-four vocabulary learning units for students to use in one academic year. Students are expected to learn thirty words every week. Moreover, the words are presented both in English and Chinese because the target group is low-level students (CEF A2 level). In addition, the questionnaires were used to collect students' opinions toward the app. During this pilot study and with the use of mobile app, it is hoped that students' learning motivation can be increased and the self-study habits can be built.