ERIC Number: EJ1140133
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1365-893X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Integration and Language Learning of Newly Arrived Migrants Using Mobile Technology
Bradley, Linda; Lindström, Nataliya Berbyuk; Hashemi, Sylvana Sofkova
Journal of Interactive Media in Education, v2017 n1 Article 3 2017
The purpose of this study is to investigate the mobile activities newly arrived migrants are engaged in when learning the Swedish language and about Swedish culture and society. Further, the study also explores the use of a mobile application (app) provided to the newly arrived migrants to use for pronunciation practice. The study involved 38 newly arrived Arabic speaking migrants participating in an introduction program of the Swedish language and Swedish culture provided by the Swedish government. The participants were divided into two groups: a control group who received training according to the traditional introduction programme and an experimental group who used a mobile app for pronunciation training as a complement to the programme. We applied a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. The participants were interviewed about their use of mobile phones as well as recorded in a number of activities inside and outside the classroom to compare their language evolvement. In addition, surveys, logging of weekly mobile activities and observations were performed. The results show that the participants used a wide range of different mobile tools, both inside and outside the classroom. However, they used the mobiles mostly for communication with their family and friends rather than for communication with Swedes and learning Swedish. Further, compared to the control group, the experimental group showed an improved speech tempo and self-confidence in speaking. The study thus indicates that focused linguistic training with a pronunciation app is useful for developing spoken language skills, which can lead to improved integration. The participants expressed need and interest in having more mobile apps for both language and culture training.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Immigrants, Swedish, Cultural Awareness, Acculturation, Second Language Learning, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, Computer Oriented Programs, Control Groups, Conventional Instruction, Experimental Groups, Pronunciation, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis, Interviews, Surveys, Program Effectiveness, Language Proficiency, Questionnaires, Technology Uses in Education, Educational Technology, Observation
Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University. Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK. e-mail: jime@open.ac.uk; Web site: http://jime.open.ac.uk
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sweden
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A