Abstract

The role of technology among learners in the past was not very noticeable, today it is a major learning factor, and researchers have noted that learners nowadays practice the target language more outside of the classroom setting than they previously did due to the availability and flexibility of technology in daily life (Benson & Reinders, 2011; Lee, & Dressman, 2018; Chik & Ho, 2017). The widespread use of smart devices such as tablets and smartphones among learners, the study of Mobile-assisted language learning (henceforth MALL) has become a topic of great interest for second language researchers interested in language learning and technology in the last decade. Scholars have investigated the effectiveness of this phenomena from different perspectives. This study is to examine the preference and effectiveness of using a mobile app versus a desktop/laptop PC within the same platform among Russian and Spanish learners through the Duolingo language learning platform. Nine participants (four Spanish and five Russian learners), were recruited for the current study throughout 13 weeks. participants were divided into two groups: The Application Group, and the Desktop/Laptop PC Group. The result showed that most learners of both languages prefer to use desktop, particularly graduate students. In addition, the results of the posttest show the difference between the two groups is statistically insignificant and it may not necessarily the platform used (either the desktop or application) would be a reason for learning effectiveness.