Informal Language Learning Through Mobile Instant Messaging Among University Students in Korea

Mobile technologies and platforms that facilitate communication across different languages are increasinglyrelevantinaworldcharacterisedbytheglobalflowsofdiversepopulationsanddisparate digital environments. This qualitative study explores communication between native and nonnativespeakersofKorean,mediatedthroughmobileinstantmessaginginthesophisticateddigital environmentofSouthKorea.Thisarticlereportsontwostudiesthatexaminedtheexperiencesof English-speakinglanguageinstructors(Study1)andinternationalstudents(Study2)inaprivate universitysituatedinSouthKoreaduring2012and2015,respectively.Thisisdonebyfocusingon face-to-faceandscreen-to-screencommunication,andtheco-dependenciesarisingbetweenlanguage instructorsandinternationalstudents.Between2012and2015,largeupgradesinthelocaldigital environmentsawtheemergenceofubiquitous lowcostorfreehigh-speedWi-Ficoverageanda nearuniversalnationaladoptionofa localmobile instantmessagingservice.Theparticipants in Study2werewidelyfoundtobedigitallyliterateanddemonstratedanacuitywithmobileinstant messaging.Theydevelopedcreativesolutionsforcommunicationandlanguagelearningbyblending sociolinguisticandlinguisticcompetencieswithinmobileinstantmessagingchatrooms.Thisarticle highlightsthechangesthathaveoccurredbetween2012and2015anddemonstratestheneedfor furtherresearchintohowmobileinstantmessagingservicessupportcommunicationbetweenpeople fromdifferentlanguageandculturebackgrounds,particularlyforpeoplewithoutaccesstoformal languageinstruction. KeywoRdS Chat Room, Digital Environment, Digital Literacy, Global Mobility, Higher Education, Informal Learning, Mobile Learning, Sociolinguistic Competencies

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