having received3 or 4 in all dimensions except differentiation. The next highest were
Wordalot and
English Reading Test , each with 24. Immediately following at 23 were
Learn English Vocabulary, IELTS Writing, and
English Listening . Scoring 22 were
English Grammar Ultimate, Reading Comprehension, and
English Conversation Practice . Only one
app,
Daily English Listening , scored 21 points. And, the lowest score was obtained by
How to Speak Real English , which only scored 17 points.
Review of Each App This section presents a more detailed description of these twelve apps. For each
language skill targeted in a given app, we compare and contrast that skill with the app’s
LSARR scores. We also provide screenshots of the apps.
Speaking Apps English Conversation Practice received high scores in curriculum connection,
performance, user-friendliness, and appeal. Similarly,
How to Speak Real English received
high scores in performance and authenticity. Both apps received a low score in
differentiation. According to the scores,
English Conversation Practice can better help
speaking skills. More detailed descriptions of these apps follow below.
English Conversation Practice . Developed by Talk English, this app obtained a score
of 4 in curriculum connection. Although it introduced its content via listening, it allows the
learner to get the necessary input to improve not only pronunciation but also situational
content, which can help in the development of speaking. Topics presented include situations
such as meeting someone, buying something, and planning a hangout. This app focuses on
imitative speaking activities, where students repeat the conversation introduced by the app
and then they are quizzed on the content through a multiple choice exercise. Regarding
authenticity, the app received a score of two as content was presented in an artificial format.
The app offers students the freedom to choose a role to record themselves and the recording
can be saved. Even though sharing is not possible, students’ product is available within the
apps. Conversations and graphics in the app are of excellent quality. Unfortunately, in-app
ads purchases tend to be distracting or hinder the ease of use (see Fig. 1). The mean score for
the app is thus 2.75 out of 4.
Fig. 1. English Conversation Practice by Talk English screenshots
