Higher Education Students’ Perceptons of Using Memrise Mobile Application for English Vocabulary Learning
Abstract
This study explores higher education students’ perceptions of using the Memrise mobile application for English vocabulary learning and the challenges they experience. Using a qualitative descriptive design, data were collected from 28 University students through open-ended questionnaires and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that students perceive Memrise as an engaging and user-friendly Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) tool that supports vocabulary retention, pronunciation, and learning motivation through repetition, multimedia features, and gamification. However, limitations were also identified, including insufficient academic vocabulary, limited contextual and grammatical explanations, and difficulties in applying vocabulary in academic contexts. Overall, Memrise is considered an effective supplementary tool for vocabulary learning in higher education when integrated with formal instruction.
References
Aminatun, D., & Oktaviani, L. (2019). Using “Memrise” To Boost English for Business Vocabulary Mastery: Students’viewpoint. Proceedings Universitas Pamulang, 1(1)
Aprizal, A., & Wachyudi, K. (2024). The Effectiveness of Memrise as a Vocabulary Learning Tool. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 10(4), 8-17. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10499120za
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Demir, İ. (2025). App-Solutely Motivated! EFL Vocabulary Learning in the Digital Age : “Memrise” and Learner Motivation through the Lens of SLA Theories. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences, 18(4), 712-735. https://doi.org/10.30831/akukeg.1676993
Dian, R., Sri, T., & Setyorini, A. (2023). The use of Memrise Application in improving students’ vocabulary mastery at the 8th grade of Junior High School. Cendekia: Journal Ilmu Sosial, Bahasa dan Pendidikan, 3(4), 9-16. https://doi.org/10.55606/cendikia.v3i4.1693
Esmaeili, Z., & Shahrokhi, M. (2020). The Impact of Memrise Application on Iranian EFL Learners' Collocation Learning and Retention. International Journal of Language Education, 4(2), 221-233. https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v4i2.10672
Essafi, M., Belfakir, L., & Moubtassime, M. (2024). Investigating mobile-assisted language learning apps: Babbel, Memrise, and Duolingo as a case study. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 13(2), 197-213. https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v13n2p197
Havwini, T., Ratnasari, D., Fadilah, N., Feby, F., & Firdaus, F. (2024). English Vocabulary Mastery In Vocational Higher Education: An Analysis of Challenges and Feasible Strategies. Journal on Education, 6(4), 19110–19118. https://doi.org/10.31004/joe.v6i4.5796
Katemba, C. V. (2025). Role of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning in Improving Vocabulary Mastery among EFL Students. PEBSAS: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 3(2), 60 66. https://doi.org/10.61721/pebsas.v3i2.603
Li, Y., & Hafner, C. A. (2022). Mobile-Assisted Vocabulary Learning: Investigating Receptive and Productive Vocabulary Knowledge of Chinese EFL Learners. ReCALL, 34, 66-80.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344021000161.
Makovskaya, L., & Juraeva, I. (2023). The Relationship between the Perception and Knowledge of Academic Vocabulary among EFL and EMI University Students. Journal of Language and Education, 9(2), 133–145. https://doi.org/10.17323/jle.2023.16113
Mihaylova, M., Gorin, S., Reber, T. P., & Rothen, N. (2022). A Meta-Analysis on Mobile-Assisted Language Learning Applications: Benefits and Risks. Psychologica Belgica, 62(1), 252 271. https://doi.org/10.5334/pb.1146
Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A Step-by-Step Process of Thematic Analysis to Develop a Conceptual Model in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789
Nguyen, A. T., Nguyen, T. T., Le, T. T. Phuong, H. Y., Pham, T. T., Huynh, T. A. T., & Nguyen, H. T. (2023). Effects of Memrise on Vietnamese EFL students’ vocabulary: A case study at a college in a rural area. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 21(5), 450-460.
Nhu, P. T. T., & Quyen, T. N. Q. (2021). Improving Vocabulary Learning with Memrise Mobile Application for Students in Vietnam. International Journal on E-Learning Practices (IJELP, 4, 61–75). https://doi.org/10.51200/ijelp.v4i.3426
Okumuş Dağdeler, K. (2023). A Systematic Review of Mobile-Assisted Vocabulary Learning Research. Smart Learning Environments, 10(19), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-02300235-z
Rohim, R. F., Gumelar, R. E., & Riandi, R. (2022). The effect of Memrise application towards students’ vocabulary mastery. Journal of English Language Learning, 6(2), 194-198. https://doi.org/10.31949/jell.v6i2.3656
Sakkir, G., & Syamsuddin, N. A. (2023). Students’ Perceptions of Duolingo Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) in Learning English Vocabulary. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 3(3), 381–388. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.eduline1970
Sandelowski, M. (2000). Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing & Health, 23(4), 334–340. https://doi.org/0.002/098-240X(200008)23:4<334::AID-NUR9>3.0.CO;2-G
Sutrisna, I. P. E. (2025). Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) in EFL Classroom: Examining Its Contribution to Students’ Foreign Language Acquisition Process. Jurnal Pedagogi Dan Pembelajaran, 8(2), 443–454. https://doi.org/10.23887/jp2.v8i2.101960
Zain, D. S. M., & Bowles, F. A. (2021). Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) for Higher Education Instructional Practices in EFL/ESL Contexts: A Recent Review of Literature. (2024). Computer-Assisted Language Learning Electronic Journal, 22(1), 283-307.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Article Metrics
Abstract view : 0 timesPDF - 3054 times


