Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners

A significant challenge in EFL vocabulary learning is ensuring long-term retention and effective use of newly acquired words, often hindered by limited exposure and meaningful practice. Considerable research has been conducted on mobile technologies for vocabulary learning in a second language (L2),...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dan, Cao, Ismail, Lilliati, Razali, Abu Bakar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Canadian Center of Science and Education 2024
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117491/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117491/1/117491.pdf
_version_ 1848867263569985536
author Dan, Cao
Ismail, Lilliati
Razali, Abu Bakar
author_facet Dan, Cao
Ismail, Lilliati
Razali, Abu Bakar
author_sort Dan, Cao
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description A significant challenge in EFL vocabulary learning is ensuring long-term retention and effective use of newly acquired words, often hindered by limited exposure and meaningful practice. Considerable research has been conducted on mobile technologies for vocabulary learning in a second language (L2), but the comprehensive mastery of EFL vocabulary form, meaning, and use via mobile platforms in short-term and long-term memory has rarely been addressed. This quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of a mobile vocabulary app versus a paper-based wordlist on high-frequency core vocabulary from CET 4 among Chinese university students. Data were collected from 82 EFL freshmen at a private university in China from two intact groups. The experimental group used the Bai Cizhan app for out-of-classroom learning, while the control group used traditional paper-based methods. Vocabulary knowledge was tested through pretests, immediate recall tests, and delayed recall post-tests. Findings indicated that Bai Cizhan group significantly enhanced L2 vocabulary learning in improving high-frequency core words vocabulary in terms of form and meaning (Form: F (1, 80) = 23.957, p < .05, η2 = .230; Meaning: F (1, 80) = 16.342, p < .05, η2 = .170) in short-term memory, but no significant difference (Wilks’ Lambda=.187, F(3, 78)=1.641; P>.05) in long-term memory. This study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of mobile-assisted vocabulary learning and offers insights into meeting the vocabulary needs of EFL learners.
first_indexed 2025-11-15T14:33:43Z
format Article
id upm-117491
institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
institution_category Local University
language English
last_indexed 2025-11-15T14:33:43Z
publishDate 2024
publisher Canadian Center of Science and Education
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling upm-1174912025-05-27T07:34:06Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117491/ Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners Dan, Cao Ismail, Lilliati Razali, Abu Bakar A significant challenge in EFL vocabulary learning is ensuring long-term retention and effective use of newly acquired words, often hindered by limited exposure and meaningful practice. Considerable research has been conducted on mobile technologies for vocabulary learning in a second language (L2), but the comprehensive mastery of EFL vocabulary form, meaning, and use via mobile platforms in short-term and long-term memory has rarely been addressed. This quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of a mobile vocabulary app versus a paper-based wordlist on high-frequency core vocabulary from CET 4 among Chinese university students. Data were collected from 82 EFL freshmen at a private university in China from two intact groups. The experimental group used the Bai Cizhan app for out-of-classroom learning, while the control group used traditional paper-based methods. Vocabulary knowledge was tested through pretests, immediate recall tests, and delayed recall post-tests. Findings indicated that Bai Cizhan group significantly enhanced L2 vocabulary learning in improving high-frequency core words vocabulary in terms of form and meaning (Form: F (1, 80) = 23.957, p < .05, η2 = .230; Meaning: F (1, 80) = 16.342, p < .05, η2 = .170) in short-term memory, but no significant difference (Wilks’ Lambda=.187, F(3, 78)=1.641; P>.05) in long-term memory. This study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of mobile-assisted vocabulary learning and offers insights into meeting the vocabulary needs of EFL learners. Canadian Center of Science and Education 2024 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117491/1/117491.pdf Dan, Cao and Ismail, Lilliati and Razali, Abu Bakar (2024) Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners. English Language Teaching, 17 (10). pp. 1-16. ISSN 1916-4750; eISSN: 1916-4742 https://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/article/view/0/50616 10.5539/elt.v17n10p1
spellingShingle Dan, Cao
Ismail, Lilliati
Razali, Abu Bakar
Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners
title Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners
title_full Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners
title_fullStr Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners
title_full_unstemmed Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners
title_short Effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency EFL learners
title_sort effects of mobile app on memory retention of vocabulary knowledge among low proficiency efl learners
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117491/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117491/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117491/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117491/1/117491.pdf