摘要：The present study sought to explorehow English language learners (ELLs) used Instagram, a popular socialnetworking site, for language learning purposes and to reveal their attitudestowards and experiences in using it as a mobile-assisted language learning (MALL)tool. Special interest was also placed on whether there were any distinct ELLprofiles in using Instagram for independent and informal language learning. In thismixed-methods study, both quantitative and qualitative data were concurrentlycollected through an online comprehensive survey consisting of three sections.Ninety-seven Instagram using ELLs took part in this study. Basic descriptivestatistics and a cluster analysis were conducted on the quantitative data, anda thematic analysis on the qualitative data. The results showed that Instagramhas the potential to help ELLsto improve overall language skills in general, and vocabulary and communicationskills in particular. Further, ELLs’ experiences in using Instagram as aMALL tool for informal language learning were largely positive. Additionally,two different language learner profiles (i.e., novice and experienced) emergedbased on Instagram use habits and orientations. Overall, this study indicatedthat social networking platforms and MALL applications can be used as aneffective mobile language learning tool.
关键词：Social networking sites;Mobil assisted language learning;Instagram;English language learning
