Peculiarities of using smartphones when learning foreign languages in Universities

Abstract

In recent years, smartphones have begun to be used more often in the educational process, especially when learning foreign languages, due to their productivity, capabilities, and advantages. Smartphones in the educational process are mainly used by means of specially developed educational applications. Currently, many such applications have been developed, the purpose of which is to facilitate the study of foreign languages. Such applications can be used for preparation and training in certain speech activities (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) and other language aspects (grammar, vocabulary, new words, understanding, etc.). The article examines examples of the use of mobile phones in learning a foreign language from the point of view of our educational practice, i.e. how we used smartphones in professionally oriented foreign language classes. The study of the use of mobile phones and applications in foreign language learning was done by the following scientists: O. Palka, G. Kesler, F. Hubbard, H. Jung, T. Vorona, A. Koryagina, A. Shevchuk, N. Prokopchuk, and others. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of students' use of smartphones in foreign language learning. The article presents practical recommendations and examples of using the following mobile applications for learning: Duolingo, Busuu, Mondly, Ling, Anki, LingQ, uTalk, FluentU, LearnEnglish Audio & Video, LearnEnglish Elementary Podcast, Big City Small World, LearnEnglish Grammar, MyWordBook 2 and others A foreign language teacher should choose a mobile application that he plans to use in the educational process, try it himself, and then recommend it to students. Mobile applications for learning foreign languages ​​are an effective and motivating means of learning foreign languages ​​in higher education institutions and schools. Using mobile applications makes it easier to learn new words, grammar rules, rules for correct pronunciation of foreign words, etc. Integrating mobile applications into the curriculum is easy, and they fit harmoniously into the educational process. However, the teacher should not overload the students with mobile applications and should try using them before choosing a particular one.