Changes in mindsets of Japanese university students towards learning English with digital technologies in an English CALL course

Abstract

This research investigates students’ perceptions of digital technology usage and whether a year of English language learning incorporating these technologies in a university course influences their learning attitudes. 135 participants completed questionnaires at the end of the first semester and 125 at the end of the second semester. Findings indicate that participants’ attitudes toward digital technology usage appeared to shift, irrespective of their English language proficiency. However, students’ attitudes towards digital technologies varied based on their English proficiency level. Lower proficiency students were more engaged in English learning via digital technology, while those with higher proficiency seemed to favor traditional paper-based learning materials. The study proposes that teachers’ practices and attitudes towards digital technologies could affect students’ mindsets and the observed changes.