Using mobile devices to foster English reading motivation in early elementary education

In an era where mobile learning tools are increasingly shaping education, it is important to examine their role in supporting reading literacy skills. Motivation to read is one of the key factors in reading achievement and may no longer be sufficient with the traditional methods. For that reason, this mixed-methods case study involved 16 first-grade students who were introduced to tablets for the first time during their English lessons throughout a term of four months. Questionnaires and interviews were used to explore how tablets influenced their feelings and perceptions toward reading and whether it motivated them to engage more with reading overall. The findings show that not only did the devices enrich their reading experiences positively but also supported diverse learning styles and levels and contributed to increased confidence and persistence in more demanding reading activities. Students reported that the gamified features of certain applications further motivated them to read by increasing their focus on the tasks and rewarding them with a sense of accomplishment. These results offer valuable insights for teachers, parents and stakeholders seeking to enhance students’ motivation and meaningful interactions with reading contents through mobile digital tools.