This study sought to find out whether educated Arabs read paper or digital materials; which reading technologies they use; amount of material they read; the place where they read; how much time they spend on reading; when they read; how they reduce distractions; how they motivate themselves to read; how they interact with the text; their reading…

This study aimed to explore whether educated Arabs prefer to read paper or digital materials and which reading technologies and applications they use. The sample consisted of 272 educated Arabs (81% males and 19% females) who are Twitter users, who gave 437 responses to questions, hashtags and threads asking, "which digital media and digital…

This article gives examples of mobile vocabulary apps (MVAs) that can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App Stores and used as extension activities or a supplement to in-class vocabulary instruction in EFL such as English word study, advanced English vocabulary, test your English vocabulary, English vocabulary level I, II & III, 1000…

A sample of parents in Saudi Arabia was surveyed to find out the reading technologies that children under the age of 12 use, children's digital reading habits and interests, parents' roles in encouraging the children to read digitally, the effects of digital reading on children's reading ability, and to compare digital reading before, during and…

The article shows the advantages of using mobile Apps in language learning, types of language learning Apps, how to search for language Apps, criteria for selecting mobile language Apps, instructional stages with mobile Apps, the instructor's role and some implications for teaching and learning with mobile Apps.

This is a case-study of a blind college student, Sonia, at the College of Languages and Translation (COLT). She has an iPhone, iPad and laptop as well as a Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Skype accounts. She uses MS Office and the university's Academic Portal. The iPhone VoiceOver App and the Braille Sense Notetaker enable her to surf the…

The study investigated the effect of using the iPad at home by Saudi young children. Results showed that half of the children in the sample have their own iPad. 50% spend 1-2 hours a day using the iPad; 30% use it on holidays. 74% believe that nowadays use of the iPad has become a necessity. They like to introduce their children to latest…

This article proposes the integration of mobile audiobooks (MABs) to develop EFL college students' listening comprehension skills. It aims to show the following: (i) The advantages of integrating MABs in listening instruction; (ii) sources of MABs; (iii) how to search for MABs; (iv) criteria for selecting MABs; (v) examples of MABs; (vi) listening…

Use of dictionaries is an integral part of language learning and teaching. With the availability of smartphones, EFL, ESL and ESP students can access and download a variety of specialized mobile dictionaries Apps (MDAs). Specialized MDAs are of special importance for students learning English for engineering, business, and computer science…

The article proposes a model for integrating TED Talks (TTs) in EFL college listening practice. It shows instructors where TTs can be located, gives reasons for using TTs, criteria for selecting TTs, the listening skills that can be developed, and an instructional strategy. TTs provide a variety of real-life themes, speakers, motivation, and…

This study investigates the differential effects of the iPad on first and second language learning by Saudi children in the home environment. The subjects consisted of 78 parents and 118 children. The children were grouped into: 1-6 years old (young children in kindergarten and pre-school); 7- 9 years (grades 1-3); and 10-12 years (grades 4-6).…

King Saud University (KSU) created an online Short Message Service (SMS) system called "Tawasul", developed in house, to connect administrators, faculty, and students. The KSU rector, deans, department heads and program coordinators send group season's greetings and notifications to the mobile phones of a selected group of faculty,…