An Introduction to a New Taxonomy of Apps for Vocabulary Learning

With the rapid development of science and technology, the availability and popularity of technology-enhanced learning is increasing in recent decades especially in the fields like m-Learning, MALL (Mobile-Assisted Language Learning), CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning) etc. Lots of previous studies have researched how do high-tech devices (like smartphones, tablets etc.) and mobile apps facilitate learners’ language learning. However, very little has been published on the features of the mobile apps for vocabulary learning and lacking a well-developed framework and taxonomy of the mobile apps for vocabulary learning. Therefore, the present research reviews the previous studies on language learning apps and codes the vocabulary learning apps available on the market aiming to figure out what kinds of features do these apps possess and provide a taxonomy of the features of these apps. The article also presents a framework for viewing the features of these apps from two different dimensions (app features focusing on different aspects of word knowledge and app features focusing on the functions of the apps). In the end, the article implies the direction for future research.