Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL): A Socioculturual Theory (SCT) Perspective

This paper reports a critical review of mobile language learning (MALL). It adopts the review principles suggested by Kraus et al. (RMS 16:2577–2595 [1]), Lim et al. (The Serv Ind J 7–8:481–513 [2]), and Page et al. (Int J Surg 88:105906 [3]) to analyze ten searched articles on MALL of which the findings are discussed from a perspective of sociocultural theory (SCT). With an evaluation of knowledge progression in the combined domains of MALL and SCT, two themes emerge from these ten research articles: perceptions of MALL via descriptive research and the effects of a certain application or a digital/cultural rool on language learning via experimental investigation. From a SCT perspective, mediation in these studies sheds light on two topics, namely mobile devices as mediating tools and mediated learning through social interaction. The review suggests directions for further studies to adopt other research methods than experimental or descriptive ones to gain more insights in the process of mediation by tools in language learning.