Back in the 1990s, there was much lamentation over the limitations of language learning technologies. Nowadays, AI powered apps which can be easily downloaded onto one’s mobile device provide affordances that could only be dreamt about thirty years ago. However, the question raised here is whether such apps make use of the cutting-edge technology in a way that is informed by the latest insights into language learning. Therefore, this talk seeks to unpack the teaching methodology behind such apps, and the way they are likely to impact learning. In particular, it examines the underpinning approaches identified in apps such as Duolingo or Babbel. It then highlights some discrepancies between the technological affordances and their applications. The talk concludes with some suggestions as to how the app teaching methodology can be extended to include the latest developments in language acquisition research.

Professor Marina Dodigovic is a specialist in TESOL. She has been involved in training English teachers in both undergraduate and graduate university programs, one of which was the MA TESOL at XJTLU in Suzhou, which she also directed. Professor Dodigovic's research focuses on learning another language and the challenges connected with this. She has published several books and a number of chapters and articles, for which she received several awards. She is currently an honorary professor in the European Union.