An investigation into the use of digital devices for self-study of English: A case study of fourth-year English Majors at Can Tho University

Abstract

In the era of rapid technological development, digital devices have significantly contributed to each student's foreign language learning process. This research aimed to investigate the use of digital devices in the self-study of English by senior English-majored students (standard program), cohort 47, at Can Tho University. The objectives were to discover (1) the electronic devices that students often use for self-study of English, (2) students' perceptions of the effectiveness of using digital devices for self-study of English, and (3) the difficulties that students encounter when using digital devices for self-study of English. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, using a survey for 70 participants and a semi-structured interview for 10 of the 70 respondents. Quantitative data were collected and analyzed using SPSS (version 25), while qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The findings indicated that smartphones and laptops were the two devices most frequently used by students for their independent learning. In addition, students also perceived that digital devices were highly effective in listening and vocabulary skills and provided a wealth of valuable online resources. Furthermore, students rated several other English-related capabilities as effective, indicating that electronic devices greatly support multiple areas of English language acquisition. Besides, both quantitative and qualitative data revealed that physical fatigue, distractions, technical problems, and unstable Internet were the issues resulting in difficulties for participants when using digital devices during self-study of English.