ACQUISITION OF LANGUAGE MEANINGS VIA SMART TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

This paper reports on a pilot research project on the technology-based language learning repertoire of 150 Omani college and high school students and gives its interpretation from the perspective of learning theories. The question under study is to highlight the ways and underlying goals the students set while using smart technologies autonomously. Learning the L2 as well as the acquisition of the L1 have almost the same psycholinguistic mechanisms. Using e-media brings the process of L2 learning even closer to the model of L1 acquisition, as it creates real time tasks and contexts for meaningful learning. The methodological standpoint of the analysis is the assumption that students acquire and memorize new verbal meanings of English more effectively when they use technology independently to communicate and construct knowledge. The study includes a classification of educational applications in terms of their cognitive and communicative functions. The findings corroborate the foundations of the Semantic Theory, Constructivist Theory of Learning, Cognitive Linguistics and Communication Theory. The results of the study contain practical implications about using smart applications and extensions for autonomous learning as well as in classroom settings.