ENHANCING LANGUAGE COMPETENCE AMONG SLOW LEARNERS IN AUTONOMOUS LEARNING USING MOBILEAPPLICATIONS

Abstract

English language, being the International official language for communication in
today’s world, plays an important role in student’s life. Teaching-learning process in English
classrooms among the undergraduates face many challenges due to different levels of
proficiency of the learners. The classroom is always a combination of slow learners and
advance learners. Teaching only the syllabus in framed methods will not bring desired
outcome. Teacher should motivate autonomous learning among slow learners to take
responsibility of learning independently. Learning through mobiles became lifestyle for the
new generation learners. Mobile learning is more spontaneous and less formal. It has the
advantage of self-learning and learning anywhere, everywhere and at any time. Language
learning through mobile was first time invented by Stanford learning lab (Beown-2001).
Hence, the teachers can fill the gap between slow learners and advance learners. This study
focuses on investigating the self-learning model using mobile applications in autonomous
learning to enhance English Language Competences among slow learners in first year
undergraduate students. For this purpose a questionnaire about autonomous leaning using
mobile applications for the slow learners was administered to 150 under- graduate students. A
pre-test was conducted and students underwent intervention programme for the period of 20
days, at the end post-test results were show than the students enhanced in language competences.