ASSESSING TEACHERS’ READINESS AND CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING MOBILE-ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING (MALL) IN RURAL AREAS
Keywords:
Mobile-Assisted Language Learning; Teacher Readiness; Implementation Challenges; Rural Settings; Indonesian EFL
Abstract
This study seeks to investigate the readiness of English teachers and the obstacles they face in adopting Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) in rural areas of Mandrehe Utara Sub-district, West Nias Regency, North Sumatra. Using a qualitative research design grounded in a phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, non-participant classroom observations, and document analysis involving eight English teachers from five different schools. The results indicate that teachers’ readiness falls within low to moderate levels. While attitudinal readiness appears relatively favourable, both knowledge-based and practical readiness remain notably limited. The study further identifies four major challenges: inadequate technological infrastructure, limited digital literacy among teachers, a lack of sufficient institutional support, and pedagogical issues related to classroom management. Based on these findings, the study suggests the need to prioritise the improvement of digital infrastructure, provide context-sensitive professional development, and formulate school policies that clearly encourage the integration of mobile technology into English language instruction in remote rural contexts.
References
Almekhlafy, S. S. A. (2021). Mobile-assisted language learning MALL: Rethinking formal and informal language learning. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 17(1), 485–509. https://doi.org/10.52462/jlls.34
Alshammari, R., Parkes, M., & Adlington, R. (2021). Using mobile technologies for language learning: Evaluating the student experience. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(2), 173–188. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i02.16395
Alshammari, S. H., Ali, M. B., & Rosli, M. S. (2021). The influences of technical support, self-efficacy, and instructional design on mobile learning acceptance. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 15(7), 68–85. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v15i07.21445
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315456539
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Crompton, H., & Burke, D. (2018). The use of mobile learning in higher education: A systematic review. Computers & Education, 123, 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.04.007
Hashim, H. (2021). Application of technology in the digital era education. International Journal of Research in Counseling and Education, 3(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.24036/0077za0002
Hashim, H., Yunus, M. M., Amin, M., & Coelho, J. P. (2022). Mobile learning for Malaysian higher education: An insight into the educator's perception. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 16(4), 4–17. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v16i04.27595
Kukulska-Hulme, A., Bossu, C., Charitonos, K., Coughlan, T., Ferguson, R., FitzGerald, E., & Gaved, M. (2021). Innovating pedagogy 2021: Open University innovation report 9. The Open University. https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.00012a4c
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications.
Liens Mariyanti Gowasa, & Opirman Waruwu. (2026). An Analysis of Figurative Language in the Song Lyrics of Nadin Amizah. Research on English Language Education, 7(2), 65-82. https://doi.org/10.57094/relation.v7i2.4628
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Nuchto, W., & Suksakulchai, S. (2022). The digital divide and mobile-assisted language learning in rural Thailand: Teachers' perspectives. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 15(2), 212–235. https://doi.org/10.14456/learn.2022.19
Purwati, O., & Rofiqoh, I. (2022). Exploring EFL teachers' perceptions of mobile-assisted language learning in Indonesian rural schools. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 29(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.26418/jppk.v29i1.53917
Rahimi, M., & Miri, S. S. (2021). The impact of mobile dictionary use on language learning: A case study. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 98, 1469–1474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2021.08.217
Reinders, H., & Pegrum, M. (2021). Supporting language learning on the move: An evaluative framework for mobile language learning resources. ReCALL, 33(1), 24–38. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344020000233
Researcher. (2026). Interviews with English language teachers in rural schools of Mandrehe Utara Sub-district, West Nias Regency
Septiani, D., & Yusuf, F. N. (2023). Challenges and opportunities of MALL in rural EFL classrooms in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 12(3), 634–645. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v12i3.52911
Sung, Y. T., Chang, K. E., & Liu, T. C. (2021). The effects of integrating mobile devices with teaching and learning on students' learning performance: A meta-analysis and research synthesis. Computers & Education, 165, 104148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104148
Wulandari, M., & Suryani, A. (2023). Digital disparity and EFL learning in Indonesian rural areas: A critical review. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 29(2), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.17977/um048v29i22023p112
Waruwu, O., & Mali, G. M. (2026). A Semantic Analysis of Connotative Meaning in Donald Trump’s Speech at the Board Of Peace. Research on English Language Education, 7(2), 83-97. https://doi.org/10.57094/relation.v7i2.4635
Waruwu, O. (2025). An Analysis of Proclitics and Enclitics in West Nias Language: A Morphosyntactic Study. Research on English Language Education, 7(2), 53-64. https://doi.org/10.57094/relation.v7i2.4004
Waruwu, O. (2025). Critical Discourse Analysis of Hate Speech on Instagram: A Politician’s Educational Documents In Indonesia, 2025. Haga : Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 4(2), 51-63. https://doi.org/10.57094/haga.v4i2.4100
Yunus, M. M., Nordin, N., & Salehi, H. (2021). The effectiveness of mobile learning in enhancing writing skill among rural ESL learners. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(14), 213–228. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i14.21679
Alshammari, R., Parkes, M., & Adlington, R. (2021). Using mobile technologies for language learning: Evaluating the student experience. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(2), 173–188. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i02.16395
Alshammari, S. H., Ali, M. B., & Rosli, M. S. (2021). The influences of technical support, self-efficacy, and instructional design on mobile learning acceptance. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 15(7), 68–85. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v15i07.21445
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315456539
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Crompton, H., & Burke, D. (2018). The use of mobile learning in higher education: A systematic review. Computers & Education, 123, 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.04.007
Hashim, H. (2021). Application of technology in the digital era education. International Journal of Research in Counseling and Education, 3(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.24036/0077za0002
Hashim, H., Yunus, M. M., Amin, M., & Coelho, J. P. (2022). Mobile learning for Malaysian higher education: An insight into the educator's perception. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 16(4), 4–17. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v16i04.27595
Kukulska-Hulme, A., Bossu, C., Charitonos, K., Coughlan, T., Ferguson, R., FitzGerald, E., & Gaved, M. (2021). Innovating pedagogy 2021: Open University innovation report 9. The Open University. https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.00012a4c
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications.
Liens Mariyanti Gowasa, & Opirman Waruwu. (2026). An Analysis of Figurative Language in the Song Lyrics of Nadin Amizah. Research on English Language Education, 7(2), 65-82. https://doi.org/10.57094/relation.v7i2.4628
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Nuchto, W., & Suksakulchai, S. (2022). The digital divide and mobile-assisted language learning in rural Thailand: Teachers' perspectives. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 15(2), 212–235. https://doi.org/10.14456/learn.2022.19
Purwati, O., & Rofiqoh, I. (2022). Exploring EFL teachers' perceptions of mobile-assisted language learning in Indonesian rural schools. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 29(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.26418/jppk.v29i1.53917
Rahimi, M., & Miri, S. S. (2021). The impact of mobile dictionary use on language learning: A case study. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 98, 1469–1474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2021.08.217
Reinders, H., & Pegrum, M. (2021). Supporting language learning on the move: An evaluative framework for mobile language learning resources. ReCALL, 33(1), 24–38. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344020000233
Researcher. (2026). Interviews with English language teachers in rural schools of Mandrehe Utara Sub-district, West Nias Regency
Septiani, D., & Yusuf, F. N. (2023). Challenges and opportunities of MALL in rural EFL classrooms in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 12(3), 634–645. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v12i3.52911
Sung, Y. T., Chang, K. E., & Liu, T. C. (2021). The effects of integrating mobile devices with teaching and learning on students' learning performance: A meta-analysis and research synthesis. Computers & Education, 165, 104148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104148
Wulandari, M., & Suryani, A. (2023). Digital disparity and EFL learning in Indonesian rural areas: A critical review. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 29(2), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.17977/um048v29i22023p112
Waruwu, O., & Mali, G. M. (2026). A Semantic Analysis of Connotative Meaning in Donald Trump’s Speech at the Board Of Peace. Research on English Language Education, 7(2), 83-97. https://doi.org/10.57094/relation.v7i2.4635
Waruwu, O. (2025). An Analysis of Proclitics and Enclitics in West Nias Language: A Morphosyntactic Study. Research on English Language Education, 7(2), 53-64. https://doi.org/10.57094/relation.v7i2.4004
Waruwu, O. (2025). Critical Discourse Analysis of Hate Speech on Instagram: A Politician’s Educational Documents In Indonesia, 2025. Haga : Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 4(2), 51-63. https://doi.org/10.57094/haga.v4i2.4100
Yunus, M. M., Nordin, N., & Salehi, H. (2021). The effectiveness of mobile learning in enhancing writing skill among rural ESL learners. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(14), 213–228. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i14.21679
Published
2026-04-25
How to Cite
Waruwu, O. (2026). ASSESSING TEACHERS’ READINESS AND CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING MOBILE-ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING (MALL) IN RURAL AREAS. Research on English Language Education, 8(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.57094/relation.v8i1.4758
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2026 Opirman Waruwu
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution - You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions - You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
- You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
- No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
