The impact of digital media on foreign language acquisition: A comparative study

Abstract

This paper examines the efficiency of the use of digital media for learning as opposed to the more conventional methods of learning a foreign language based on a secondary qualitative analysis. The aim of the study is to determine the efficiency of the key benefits of the language learning application, social networking sites and digital games in comparison with the classroom learning and textbook based learning. Specific findings show that technology brings a positive impact in vocabulary instruction, listening comprehension and students’ motivation as it allows more practices and varied media. On the other hand, traditional approaches are still effective in the kind of reading and comprehension, written expression and in the enhancement of complicated grammar rules. The study thus concludes that the method that gives the students the best form of learning is the blended learning form as supported by the digital learning forms and the conventional forms of learning. Thus, the study sheds the light on the fact that the use of the digital media is likely to revolutionize the processes of language acquisition and learning, at the same time stressing the importance of the traditional approaches to language acquisition and learning, which still remains influential and conducive to the profound language acquisition and learning the processes.