Using QR codes to develop EFL learners’ pronunciation skills and expand vocabulary knowledge

Abstract

Developments in technology have affected education in an unprecedented way. The affordability of mobile technologies has prompted educators to implement mobile enriched instructions in classes. In this regard, QR codes have received much attention at educational institutions for their advantages, such as being flexible, handy, and cost-free, particularly in the last two decades. For this purpose, the current study was carried out at TISHK International University in Erbil, Iraq, on fifty advanced English students during the 2022-2023 academic year, spanning 6 weeks. The participants were chosen via stratified random sampling method. Control group students received traditional education, while experimental group students were exposed to QR code-based instruction through recorded audio tracks, videos, presentations, and e-exams. The findings, collected through exams and analyzed using SPSS 25 in this quantitative study, revealed that QR code-based instruction significantly improved students' vocabulary knowledge and pronunciation accuracy, with p-values of .002 and .003, respectively. The findings of this study can have implications for education stakeholders who aim to devise novel ways to enhance students' levels with web-enhanced tools like QR codes.