iPad in the EFL classroom: perceptions and practices

MALL is an emerging research field undergoing rapid evolution. Research suggests that it may provide language learners with rich, real-time, collaborative, and conversational experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. This is because mobile devices, and the iPad more recently, can be effective tools for delivering language learning materials to learners. The study presented here was set up to investigate this main research question: To what extent the use of the iPad into the language classroom enhance language acquisition? I will present a study conducted in a secondary school in Italy. The administration and the English language teachers of the school involved, became interested in the mobile learning phenomenon and made the decision to trial iPads with their students as part of an action research project, which was also designed to increase their own knowledge as part of their professional development. In June 2014 the school decided to implement a classroom set iPad pilot program in two high school classes for the next school year. In a classroom set situation the school provides each student with an iPad, but they are not allowed to bring them home. All the students completed an initial survey online. Some were selected by their EFL teacher for a face to face interview. In addition, regular meetings with teachers and classroom observations were used as data collection tools. The results of this study have the potential to assist other teachers in setting up a similar program and to develop effective materials for MALL.