Vietnamese EFL students’ perceptions of Quizlet for English vocabulary learning

Abstract

Vocabulary learning has been acknowledged as a persistent challenge for many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, especially in contexts where vocabulary teaching is largely dependent on memorization and provides little opportunity for authentic language use. Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) tools are becoming more and more available and applications such as Quizlet have been widely used to facilitate vocabulary development. This study investigated Vietnamese EFL students’ perceptions of using Quizlet for English vocabulary learning at Melbourne Polytechnic Vietnam. The study used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, comprising a questionnaire answered by 35 students and follow-up interviews with seven of the participants. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Meanwhile, qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. In addition, the results indicated positive perceptions of the usefulness, ease of use, engagement and satisfaction with Quizlet. Students identified Quizlet as a tool that improved vocabulary retention due to frequent exposure and retrieval practice, increased motivation through engaging and game-based activities, and provided easy access on mobile devices. However, participants identified several limitations, including repetitive learning activities, Internet-related issues and a lack of opportunities for contextualized vocabulary use. The study also suggests that Quizlet can be an effective supplement to vocabulary learning when incorporated with teacher guidance and communicative classroom practices. The findings add to the growing body of research on technology-enhanced vocabulary learning and have pedagogical implications for EFL instruction in Vietnamese higher education. Furthermore, the study extends existing research by providing insights into learners’ experiences with Quizlet in an underexplored Vietnamese tertiary EFL context.