Interactive Mobile Technologies in Second Language Learning: A Global Bibliometric Mapping

Abstract

The increasing integration of mobile technologies into language education has attracted growing research attention in second language learning, yet the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of this field remain insufficiently understood. To address this gap, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis of research on mobile technologies in second language learning. A total of 262 articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) between 2016 and 2025 were included after PRISMA-based screening. Publication trends, citation patterns, collaboration networks, and major research themes were examined using VOSviewer. The results show a steady increase in both publications and citations, indicating growing scholarly interest in mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). The analysis also reveals that research in this area is internationally distributed and shaped by multiple productive countries, institutions, and cross-national collaborations. Four thematic clusters were identified, focusing on mobile applications, speaking and pronunciation development, language learning platforms, and mobile learning design. Overall, these findings map the intellectual structure of the field and show that mobile technologies in second language learning are increasingly associated with learner support, language skill development, digital interaction, and instructional design.