Using a Smartphone Application as a Tool for English Learning Among Medical Staff and Students in Japan

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Language Acquisition
• Digital Health

Background:

• Medical professionals and students often face demanding schedules.
• Acquiring foreign language proficiency, particularly English, is crucial in global healthcare.
• Traditional language learning methods may not suit the needs of busy medical personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone application for English language learning among medical staff and students.
• To assess changes in listening and speaking skills using a mobile language learning tool.
• To explore the impact of mobile English training on self-confidence and willingness to communicate.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory quasi-experimental study was conducted with medical staff and students in Japan.
• Participants used a smartphone application for five minutes twice daily over five consecutive days.
• Quantitative (skill assessments, questionnaires) and qualitative data were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Participant self-assessments showed significant increases in listening and speaking skills (14.8-26.1%).
• Teacher assessments of skills did not show significant changes (-4.5-2.1%).
• Questionnaire data indicated improvements in communicative self-confidence and competence.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone applications offer on-demand English training, beneficial for individuals with unpredictable schedules.
• Learner self-assessment may differ from objective evaluation, necessitating instructor awareness for appropriate feedback.
• Mobile learning tools can positively impact language learning motivation and confidence in medical contexts.