Mobile Apps for Russian language learning

This paper presents a first comprehensive and systematic review of main existing apps for the teaching of Russian as a Foreign Language (RFL). As many recent studies show, Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) considerable fosters RFL, and, more in general, any Foreign Language Acquisition (FLA). The rapid increase in adoption of devices like smartphones, iPod, tablet, laptop, iPad for language teaching and learning is due to the fact that mobile technology provides access to FLA anytime and anywhere. Among MALL devices, apps are particularly useful to scaffold FLA. However, as concerns RFL, despite the attention paid by scholars to Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), the role of apps has generally been understudied. This research employs an exploratory-qualitative-interpretive approach. Firstly, the RFL top commercial apps for Apple iOS and Google Android mobile phones will be selected through the app analytics engine App Annie. Both general FLA apps (also covering RFL, like Babbel, Duolingo, Clozemaster, Memrise, HelloTalk, Busuu, etc.) and RFL-specific apps (like Learn Russian: Language Course, Russian Language Learning App, Russian Language with Animals, Russian Language for Beginners, Learn Russian Language Free, etc.) will be included. Secondly, apps will be analyzed to collect qualitative and quantitative data through a specially designed analysis grid with selected- response checkboxes, according to a grounded set of subcriteria (i.e. target audience age-range, modes of grammar instruction, types of activities, corrective feedback, etc.). The aim is to investigate differences and similarities between RFL apps and to test their effectiveness in relation to three main areas (which will be object of extensive analysis): design, method and implicit or explicit pedagogical theory. Moreover, since RFL apps, like general FLA apps, are developed to improve language proficiency, this study will take into special consideration the enhancement of language skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking) through MALL. In summary, this paper will give a precise overview of the designs, methods and pedagogical theories that underpin RFL apps. Thanks to its analysis of RFL apps, this study would open new avenues of investigation for RFL, thus contributing to move forward MALL (and ICT) research in RFL field.