| With the development of mobile communication technology and the popularization of smart phones,tablet computers,and English learning Apps,the way of learning changes dramatically.As a newly emerged learning method,M-learning endows teachers and students with a new thinking of teaching and learning.Meanwhile,the vocabulary teaching of English is time-consuming and low-efficient in primary and middle schools.Therefore,a new way of vocabulary teaching is urgently needed.The present study explores the effect of M-learning assisted vocabulary instruction in junior high schools.Based on the previous studies,the present study takes an example of 90 Grade 3 students in two classes of Huantai County.The experimental class employs the method of M-learning assisted vocabulary instruction,whereas the control class employs the method of traditional vocabulary teaching.The present study adopts the method of questionnaire,experiment and interview to investigate the effect of M-learning assisted vocabulary instruction in junior high schools.It attempts to answer the following two questions:(1)How does M-learning assisted vocabulary instruction influence students’ vocabulary learning?(2)What are the attitudes of students toward M-learning assisted English vocabulary instruction?The results reveal that,on the whole,the effect of M-learning assisted English vocabulary instruction is better than that of traditional teaching.There is no significant difference on Chinese to English translation between experimental class and control class.However,there are significant differences on English to Chinese translation and vocabulary usage,and the mean score of students in experimental class is higher than control class.According to the data of this survey,there is a significant difference on the ability of autonomous learning between two classes,which indicates that students’ independent learning ability of vocabulary has been improved in a short term based on the method of M-learning assisted vocabulary instruction.Meanwhile,the results from the interviews show that students are more active in the experimental class and the majority of them hold positive attitudes toward M-learning.Though M-learning is widely welcomed by students,the proper instructions of teachers and parents are needed to help students overcome the temptation of internet and make proper use of it to enhance the effect of vocabulary learning. |
