Examining the Impact of Demographics on Students’ Perceptions of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning

Abstract

Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) has witnessed significant development, with a growing number of university learners relying on their mobile devices for language learning. However, limited research has been conducted on the influence of demographics, including age, gender, and university level, on students' perceptions of MALL. Addressing this research gap, the current study was conducted at the University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, in Morocco, focusing on English department students. The study employed a quantitative approach, utilizing a questionnaire to collect data from 164 students. Through the examination of variables such as gender, age, and university level, the findings indicated that gender did not significantly impact students' acceptance of MALL while age and university level emerged as influential factors in shaping students' preferences. These findings highlight the potential effectiveness of MALL as a language learning tool. The results are particularly relevant for informing policymakers considering the implementation of MALL-based systems in higher education. Furthermore, educators are invited to consider their student cohorts' diverse age and university-level characteristics and adapt MALL activities accordingly.