Eighteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

One of the primary ways that people practice global citizenship is by becoming proficient in multiple languages.With the rapid development of digital technology, language learning applications have become increasingly popular among language learners in recent years. A growing body of research suggests that these applications can be helpful for developing language learners’ cognitive, social-emotional and behavioral competency. Duolingo is a particularly well-known and popular language learning application. Compared to predominant English-only pedagogical approaches, Duolingo provides more options of language learning to people around the world. People can learn languages with Duolngo in a more flexible and efficient way. However, little research has examined how Duolingo can not only support language learning in a limited sense(cognitive), but also help people gain the transcultural fluencies that form the basis of global citizenship.This study examines how international graduate students from East Asian countries, considered to be part of the Global South, use Duolingo to learn foreign languages in ways that challenge English-only ideologies. To be more specific, the study employs narrative inquiry to explore how Duolingo can help to develop future Global Citizens. In In this study, we address the following research questions: 1. What do Asian international students enrolled at a Southern California university learn from Duolingo? 2. How does Duolingo help shape Asian international students enrolled at a South California university to develop and sustain global citizenship through cognitive, social-emotional and behavioral competencies?