The link between different types of smartphone use and Iranian EFL learners’ emotional-behavioral functioning

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Educational Technology, Educational Department, University of Bojnord

2 University of Bojnord

3 Farhangiyan University of Mashhad

Abstract

Although smartphones are commonly used as a tool for both language learning and entertainment, there is a lack of research into how different types of smartphone use affect emotional and behavioral problems. To investigate this, a random sample of EFL students in North Khorasan, Iran, was given four scales of the Achenbach questionnaire, including anxiety/depression, thought problems, delinquent behaviors, and aggressive behavior, as well as a newly developed scale for assessing the type of smartphone use, namely academic and entertainment. The results of descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Regression showed that the more time L2 learners spent using smartphones, the more likely they were to experience emotional and behavioral problems. Additionally, using smartphones primarily for entertainment was a positive predictor of emotional and behavioral problems, while academic use was negatively associated with these issues. The study suggests that the best way to use smartphones for language learning depends on various individual, classroom, and contextual factors that need to be taken into account. Students should be informed of the benefits of using smartphones as a language learning tool and be aware of the potential risks that may arise from excessive and addictive use without a learning objective.

Keywords

Technology Assisted Language Education
Volume 1, Issue 4 - Serial Number 1
December 2023
Pages 74-91

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