The Effect of Mobile Learning on Students’ Reading Self-Efficacy: A Case Study of the APP “English Liulishuo”

Abstract

A number of studies have been conducted regarding self-efficacy in the field of foreign language learning. Yet, with the popularity of mobile learning, research on the relationship between mobile learning and self-efficacy in this field is still limited. To bridge the gap, the study aims to investigate the effects of mobile learning on students’ reading self-efficacy, i.e. whether the use of mobile learning can improve students’ English reading self-efficacy. A questionnaire is employed to collect data from 294 non-English major students in universities. To survey the effect of mobile learning on students’ reading self-efficacy, the data is accessed by the software SPSS 20.0. Results of independent T test demonstrate that for overall students, reading self-efficacy for students who have used the app is significantly different from those who haven’t in overall reading skills and in the four dimensions of reading skills, i.e. basic reading skills, applied reading skills, reading task skills, and advanced reading skills. As for students with relatively better reading performance, the results are consistent. However, for students with relatively weak reading performance, the reading self-efficacy of students who have used the app only shows significant differences in overall reading skills and in the two dimensions of basic reading skills and applied reading skills, but shows no difference in the dimensions of reading task skills and advanced reading skills. Finally, practical suggestions for mobile learning and students’ English reading are given.