Students’ Perceptions of Using Internet Applications for English Learning at Tay Tra High School

Abstract

 The use of technology in education, especially mobile applications on the Internet, is essential to help students learn English better through self-directed learning when students can use applications on the Internet with electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets in their daily learning progress. However, students in Tay Tra High School may encounter difficulties when using internet applications for English learning due to their remote location in Tra Bong, Quang Ngai Province. Therefore, this study examines the use of mobile applications for self-directed English learning among 100 students at Tay Tra High School to explore the students’ attitudes and capabilities regarding internet applications for English learning. Data was collected through surveys and practical experiments, utilizing Memrise, an online educational application, to review vocabulary and gather feedback on the student’s experience with online learning tools. The findings indicate that despite having internet access, students did not perceive technology as beneficial to their English learning,
possibly due to a lack of teacher guidance. However, post experiment, the majority expressed interest in using online tools to learn independently. The study suggests that applications such as Memrise, Duolingo, Lingo Bee, Elsa Speak, and Quizizz can enhance self-directed English learning. Moreover, proper teacher guidance is essential, as teachers play a crucial role as facilitators of digital education. Implications include raising student awareness about the advantages of internet applications for English learning, providing practical guidelines, and utilizing apps like Memrise to support teaching.