Mobile-Assisted Writing Instruction: Affordances, Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract

Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) is widely adopted worldwide. One related issue under discussion is how to effectively harness mobile devices to help English writers. This discussion paper first unpacks writing as a meaning-making process from the perspective of systemic functional linguistics. It then summarizes the major MALL-based studies on writing instruction, including the affordances and challenges of mobile-assisted writing instruction. The paper is followed by discussing pedagogical tips for teachers interested in using MALL and SFL to improve students' English writing construction across different educational contexts (e.g., at the tertiary and pretertiary level).