The Use of Mobile Applications for Teaching and Learning English in the Post Covid Scenario

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The Use of Mobile Applications for Teaching and Learning English in the Post Covid Scenario

Since the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the normal lifestyle of people across the globe, the virtual world has come to the rescue. Amongst many institutions, schools have also shifted their base to virtual platforms to contact classes online. Consequently catering to the needs of all stages of education from pre-primary to university level, online education has emerged as an alternative to ordinary face-to-face classes. Accordingly various stakeholders such as Government and private organisations are trying their best to assist each other by sprucing up their existing online platforms apps and providing training to teachers to use these apps and platforms to the optimum level. 

One of the pioneering technologies that played a significant role during Covid pandemic is mobile learning. It is learning using mobile resources. The employment of mobile learning during the era of Covid-19 brings various opportunities and challenges for both practice and research. For practice since the quarantine period and social distancing are unpredictable so far across several universities and colleges this selection of m-learning can be one of the practical solutions to pursue the educational process in a digital and fashionable way. 

Mobile phones are helpful for the teachers and students in the process of teaching and learning English. English language skills can be categorised into receptive and productive skills. The former refers to both listening and reading skills, whereas the latter refers to speaking and writing. Also there are some other applications that are like an integration of both language skills and systems meanwhile language systems represent both vocabulary and grammar.

Language skills can be practiced widely in the Communicative Language Teaching classroom. Downloading different radio programs to listen to their live streams, English songs, free electronic PDF books relating to the English language, various articles and summaries about English novels, drama and poetry are among the listening and reading application that we can use for the students' learning. 

There are some applications that are used for reviewing and revising writing processes such as spell checking and proofreading applications. These can be used to develop better writing skills. For example, students can, after writing an essay check their spelling and correct it using such applications. Thus the use of smartphones play an integral role in language learning. Below mentioned are certain applications useful for English language learning. 

Duolingo is a language application. The app covers methods from beginner to advanced level in 23 languages. For beginners, the focus is on verbs, phrases, sentences, and for advanced learners, the focus is on LSRW skills. Second language learning is through the first language or mother tongue. Learning material and levels are prescribed by the app based on the performance in the Diagnostic test. 

The British Council is the best for grammar. It focuses on multiple topics for all levels from Questions, tenses, gerunds, and modal verbs.  

Grammarly is considered the best app for writing. There are loads of applications out there that will assist with improving your composition. For quick grammar remedies, Grammarly is the smartest choice. In addition to the fact that it checks for botches, it clarifies your mistake so you won't make a similar blunder once more. Grammar and tone could also be rectified to avoid grammatical and tone related errors. 

Hello Talk is considered the best app for speaking. It is a free application that associates you with more than 15 million individuals. You have to identify a local speaker to teach you English. The main catch is you need to teach them your language consequently – it works like a language trade. If you feel uncomfortable over video calls, there is a choice to text and voice record. 

BBC Learning English is considered the best app for regular English. This application's most loved element is smaller than usual daily exercise, which takes 3 minutes to watch. Through this app, one can learn new jargon, tune in to reports, and practice regular English.   

To sum up, m- learning through android apps can potentially enhance the teaching and learning of English. Implications suggest that if teachers are trained at reviewing apps, they can become empowered at selecting digital tools for making their lessons more compelling and student-centered. Yet, to maximize the efficacy of these apps in their EFL classrooms, teachers should provide support and feedback related to the skills being practiced by their students on these apps.