Arab Educational Information Network

Mobile-Assisted Language Learning, or simply MALL, is a rapidly evolving field due to the continuous advancements in education and technology. With English being the world’s lingua franca, MALL has made digital literacy a necessity for English language teachers and learners. This paper reports on the findings from a study of the different uses of mobile technologies among Algerian University EFL teachers and students. The study aims to bridge the gap between teachers and learners regarding the use of MALL by establishing a clearer foundation for the next generation. It sheds light on the discrepancies in perspectives, policies and challenges faced by practitioners. The mixed method was implemented to collect quantitative and qualitative data using two questionnaires. The questionnaires were designed and administered through Google Forms with responses from 47 teachers and 113 students from three Algerian universities. Although MALL is a relatively new field to the Algerian EFL context, the study revealed that both teachers and students are well-aware of its importance in language learning. Despite the common awareness, the study exposes major differences in uses and policies between teachers and students and among teachers themselves. The study also uncovers the differences within the challenges that both groups face and suggests solutions to these. (Published abstract)