Mobile Flashcard Application for Vocabulary Learning: Effects on Development of Vocabulary Knowledge

Responding to the need of empirical research on the use of mobile phone applications (apps) for language learning in the current literature, the present study conducted a comparative study using a smartphone flashcard app and a traditional vocabulary learning tool, a paper-based flashcard, in order to determine if the new learning tool, flashcard app, presented effectiveness on learner development of vocabulary knowledge. Two college EFL classes in Korea were participated in this study. One EFL class of the experiment group (n=43) studied their target vocabulary using the smartphone flashcard app while the other EFL class of control group (n=40) studied the same vocabulary words on paper-based flashcards. The mixed research methods that combined both quantitative (e.g., a pre- and post-test, and a questionnaire) and qualitative approaches (e.g., a semi-structured interview) were employed. The results showed that the learners who used the flashcard app outperformed the learners who studied the paper-based flashcard in vocabulary growth. In addition, the learners showed an overall positive attitude and perception toward the use of the flashcard app for their learning. This study suggests that the flashcard app is useful to develop learners’ vocabulary knowledge and can be a new effective vocabulary learning tool in the classroom.