The impact/s of Using Mobile Phone on English Language Vocabulary Retention

ABSTRACT: The present study has been conducted with two main questions: Does using mobile phones by intermediate EFL learners have a significant effect on the learnersʹ vocabulary retention? And is there a significant difference between male and female intermediate EFL learners in vocabulary retention while using mobile phones? This study was a true experimental research and to do the research 111 students (55 male, 56 female) using the piloted PET test were selected from among 150 students (75 male, 75 female). All the students were studying in grade three of Iranian high school. They were divided into four groups: two experimental groups (one male and one female) and two control groups (one male and one female). To test the two null-hypotheses of the study after pre-test both the experimental and the control groups received the same instruction and then were tested (pos-test 1). Then the control groups received paper and pencil activities to do out of the classroom and the experimental groups received the same activities via their mobile phones using SMS. The researcher –made vocabulary test was administered to all groups (post-test 2). After one month using the researcher-made vocabulary test all groups were tested to measure the amount of the vocabulary retention (post-test 3). Results and findings of the study are here: Using mobile phones by intermediate EFL learners have a significant effect on the learnersʹ vocabulary retention and there is no significant difference between male and female intermediate EFL learners in vocabulary retention while using mobile phones.