Mobile Fiction Apps for Enhancing EFL Students' Reading and Appreciation Skills

Abstract

The present study proposes the integration of mobile fiction Apps (MFAs) in reading instruction to help EFL college students understand the form and content of literary works. It will give examples of fiction Apps that can be downloaded from the Google Play and iPhone App Stores, give the advantages of using MFAs, literary appreciation skills that can be developed with MFAs and instructional stages with MFAs. MFAs can be used as extension activities or as a supplement to in-class reading instruction in ESL/EFL. They are free, easy, and quick to download, update and delete, can be used anywhere, anytime and as many times as the students need. Instruction with smart mobile phones begins with downloading an MFA such as Harry Potter, Oliver Twist, Sherlock Holmes, Wuthering Heights, a novel by Agatha Christi or a collection of stories. Both simplified and original versions can be used depending on the student’s proficiency level, story/novel length and difficulty level. A story/novel video, app or e-book can be used online or offline. Some MFAs provide notes and tests. The instructor can ask pre-questions that require the students to identify the plot, setting, characters, main theme, point of view, symbolism, style, and tone of the narrative, and infer the meanings of figurative language and imagery in the story. Questions and students’ answers, summaries, comments on each other's' responses can be posted in an online discussion forum, blog or social media page. The students can discuss the elements of a literary work under the instructor's supervision. The integration of fiction Apps showed improved reading comprehension, literary appreciation and text analysis skills among participating students and increased their engagement in reading and literary analysis.