University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Duolingo and HelloTalk: analyzing and evaluating language learning applications using SLA theory and user feedback

Schroeder, Robert Charles

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113036

Description

Title
Duolingo and HelloTalk: analyzing and evaluating language learning applications using SLA theory and user feedback
Author(s)
Schroeder, Robert Charles
Issue Date
2021-07-20
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Sadler, Randall
Committee Member(s)
Pierce, Lisa
Department of Study
Linguistics
Discipline
Teaching of English Sec Lang
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Second Language Acquisition
  • Applications
  • Duolingo
  • HelloTalk
  • Evaluation
  • Survey
  • Focus on Form
  • Communicative Language
  • Noticing
  • Gamification
  • Learner Motivation
  • Level Appropriateness
Abstract
This study performs an evaluation of two language learning apps using established SLA principles and user-feedback through a survey and interviews. A survey asking users about level appropriateness, focus on form, Zone of Proximal Development and scaffolding, interaction, communicative language, noticing, and motivation and gamification was administered and followed up by interviews for details. Results showed that users generally rated Duolingo well in most capacities with its strongest factor being vocabulary for specific contexts and scenarios, but that the app was rarely rated as excellent in any category because of oversimplified grammar instruction, poor focus on form in terms of pronunciation, and some aspects of the app that lead to user frustration. HelloTalk however was often rated evenly across categories and ratings or in some cases had users give opposite or scattered ratings, with the general defining factor in satisfaction being whether the user found a reliable and helpful language exchange. Implications of these findings for app developers and app users is discussed in the conclusion.
Graduation Semester
2021-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113036
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2021 Robert Schroeder

Owning Collections

Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Linguistics