How to learn a language

5 Evaluation activity

In the following activity you will evaluate an app used for language learning.

Activity 2 Evaluating a resource

Allow about an hour

If you have a smartphone or tablet, download a free app that offers language-learning courses, such as Duolingo or busuu from your app store (or check for something else you like the look of under the Education > Learn a new language category in your app store). Spend 20–30 minutes trying out the different features it provides and then consider the questions below. If you do not have access to a smartphone or tablet or would rather evaluate another resource, perhaps one that you use regularly or a free resource you’ve found online, then do so.

Score a mark from 0 to 5 for each question, or N/A if the criterion is not applicable to your resource

Language learning:
Score

(0 to 5 or N/A)

Name of the app

Reading: does the resource provide texts in the target language?

Listening: does the resource provide audio in the target language?

Writing: does the resource offer opportunities to write in the target language?

Speaking: does the resource offer opportunities to speak in the target language?

Vocabulary: does the resource offer specific activities for vocabulary acquisition?

Grammar: does the resource offer specific activities for grammar practice?

Pronunciation and intonation: does the resource offer specific activities for pronunciation and intonation?

Cultural information: does the resource include information about customs and traditions in the areas where the language is spoken?

Use of visual content: are images and videos stereotypical or stock images? Do they represent the diversity of the areas where the language is spoken?

Language varieties: does the resource include different regional or national varieties of the language?

Pedagogy:

Description: does the resource description match what the resource does?

Teaching: does the resource present, explain or model language or does it just test it?

Progress: does the resource allow the user to track progress or see previous attempts?

Scaffolding: do activities in the resource progress in difficulty in a way that supports the learner?

Feedback: does the resource provide feedback? Is it just right/wrong or meaningful explanations?

Quality of content: does the content have any errors/omissions?

Use of media: does the resource make use of sound, images and video in a meaningful way?

Differentiation: does the resource offer different levels depending on ability? Can these be accessed directly?

Engagement: does the resource keep the user interested or are activities repetitive?

User experience:

Interaction: does the resource allow users to interact with each other?

Interactivity: is engagement with the resource content active or passive?

Sharing: does the resource allow or encourage sharing content?

Badging: does the resource provide recognition that can be shared on social media?

Price: does the user need to pay to download the resource? Is there a trial version?

Registration: does the resource require the user to register?

Advertising: does the resource include pop-up ads? Are these distracting?

Technology issues:

Interface: is the interface clear and uncluttered?

Navigation: is the resource intuitive to navigate, with clear menus and options?

Instructions: does the resource offer instructions on how to use it?

Stability: does the resource freeze or crash?

Gamification: does the resource have game-like features to increase engagement?

Support: does the resource have a help section?

Offline work: does the resource require an internet connection to work?

Language learning:	Score (0 to 5 or N/A)
Name of the app
Reading: does the resource provide texts in the target language?
Listening: does the resource provide audio in the target language?
Writing: does the resource offer opportunities to write in the target language?
Speaking: does the resource offer opportunities to speak in the target language?
Vocabulary: does the resource offer specific activities for vocabulary acquisition?
Grammar: does the resource offer specific activities for grammar practice?
Pronunciation and intonation: does the resource offer specific activities for pronunciation and intonation?
Cultural information: does the resource include information about customs and traditions in the areas where the language is spoken?
Use of visual content: are images and videos stereotypical or stock images? Do they represent the diversity of the areas where the language is spoken?
Language varieties: does the resource include different regional or national varieties of the language?
Pedagogy:
Description: does the resource description match what the resource does?
Teaching: does the resource present, explain or model language or does it just test it?
Progress: does the resource allow the user to track progress or see previous attempts?
Scaffolding: do activities in the resource progress in difficulty in a way that supports the learner?
Feedback: does the resource provide feedback? Is it just right/wrong or meaningful explanations?
Quality of content: does the content have any errors/omissions?
Use of media: does the resource make use of sound, images and video in a meaningful way?
Differentiation: does the resource offer different levels depending on ability? Can these be accessed directly?
Engagement: does the resource keep the user interested or are activities repetitive?
User experience:
Interaction: does the resource allow users to interact with each other?
Interactivity: is engagement with the resource content active or passive?
Sharing: does the resource allow or encourage sharing content?
Badging: does the resource provide recognition that can be shared on social media?
Price: does the user need to pay to download the resource? Is there a trial version?
Registration: does the resource require the user to register?
Advertising: does the resource include pop-up ads? Are these distracting?
Technology issues:
Interface: is the interface clear and uncluttered?
Navigation: is the resource intuitive to navigate, with clear menus and options?
Instructions: does the resource offer instructions on how to use it?
Stability: does the resource freeze or crash?
Gamification: does the resource have game-like features to increase engagement?
Support: does the resource have a help section?
Offline work: does the resource require an internet connection to work?

How did the resource score? Did going through the questions help you to think about what the resource offers and lacks? Spend 5 to 10 minutes writing a short reflection about how engaging with the questions may be useful or not when you next consider a resource.

Laura says:

One of the things I think is important when I choose an app is what criteria are the most important for me at the time, so which ones I will prioritise above others. For instance, the gamification aspect is fun, but the stability of the app is much more important.

OpenLearn - How to learn a language
ou logo Except for third party materials and otherwise, this content is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence, full copyright detail can be found in the acknowledgements section. Please see full copyright statement for details.