Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology
Postgraduate students’ use of smartphones for English language learning: Navigating the balance between autonomy and distraction
Rajan Kumar Kandel 1 2 *
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1 Tribhuvan University, Surkhet Multiple Campus, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal
2 Graduate School of Education, Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
* Corresponding Author
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ARTICLE INFO

Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, Online First, pp. -
https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202637849

Article Type: Research Article

Published Online: 21 Mar 2026

Views: 2 | Downloads: 1

ABSTRACT
Smartphones have become visibly powerful, operationally convenient, and functionally accessible educational tools in English language learning. As mobile-assisted language learning encounters both opportunities and challenges, students’ cognitive distractions and their misuse are common concerns that compromise learning outcomes. This study seeks to understand how postgraduate students in Nepal perceive smartphone use for English language learning, examining both its benefits and challenges. It also explores how the learners navigate between autonomous learning and learning distraction while using smartphones. A qualitative narrative inquiry design was employed to gather reflections from ten postgraduate English majors from two Nepali universities, aged 25 to 30, from varied socio-academic backgrounds, using semi-structured interviews. Ethical considerations were upheld through the use of informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, and participant validation. The findings showed that participants perceived smartphones as portable and adaptable tools for accessing multimodal learning resources for English language learning. Smartphones enhanced their autonomous learning and provided access to authentic exposure in English, despite their distracting roles. They also regulated their use to maintain academic focus. The use of smartphones boosts students’ English language learning if it is used appropriately to enhance conventional pedagogy. It promotes their autonomy and provides authentic exposure. Digital awareness and self-regulation strategies for using smartphones within academic settings can lead to the goals of mobile-assisted language learning. This study contributes to the evolving field of mobile-assisted language learning and explores how the learners compromise the interplay between learning autonomy and digital distraction.
KEYWORDS
autonomous learning digital distraction English language learning mobile-assisted language learning personalized learning
In-text citation: (Kandel, 2026)
Reference: Kandel, R. K. (2026). Postgraduate students’ use of smartphones for English language learning: Navigating the balance between autonomy and distraction. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202637849
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Kandel RK. Postgraduate students’ use of smartphones for English language learning: Navigating the balance between autonomy and distraction. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202637849
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Kandel RK. Postgraduate students’ use of smartphones for English language learning: Navigating the balance between autonomy and distraction. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202637849
In-text citation: (Kandel, 2026)
Reference: Kandel, Rajan Kumar. "Postgraduate students’ use of smartphones for English language learning: Navigating the balance between autonomy and distraction". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology (2026). https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202637849
In-text citation: (Kandel, 2026)
Reference: Kandel, R. K. (2026). Postgraduate students’ use of smartphones for English language learning: Navigating the balance between autonomy and distraction. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202637849
In-text citation: (Kandel, 2026)
Reference: Kandel, Rajan Kumar "Postgraduate students’ use of smartphones for English language learning: Navigating the balance between autonomy and distraction". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 2026. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202637849
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