Mobile assisted language learning in learning Arabic as a second language in Saudi Arabia

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the use of mobile assisted language learning for learning Arabic as a second language in the context of Saudi Arabian higher education. The purpose of this study was to explore what kinds of mobile learning devices second language Arabic learners and their teachers currently use and how they use these devices for learning the Arabic language. This mixed-methods study employed a sequential explanatory design, incorporating questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with second language students and their teachers. A total of 154 teachers and 492 students participated in the quantitative phase of the study whilst 14 teachers and 16 students took part in the qualitative phase. The results showed that smartphones the most widely used mobile device among second language Arabic learners and their teachers. Their current use of mobile devices was focused on social media apps such as YouTube and WhatsApp to support Arabic language learning.