The App-solute Call of the MALL: A Bibliometric Analysis of Mobile Assisted Language Learning Research (2011–2025)

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) research published between 2011 and 2025, mapping the field’s growth, intellectual structure, and evolving thematic priorities. Drawing on 415 SSCI-indexed journal articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, the analysis employs citation, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence techniques using VOSviewer to identify influential authors, sources, and research clusters. Findings reveal four major developmental phases in MALL: early adoption focused on vocabulary and SMS-based learning; expansion during the app-driven boom; pandemic-induced consolidation; and recent innovation driven by artificial intelligence, augmented/virtual reality, and adaptive mobile systems. Co-citation networks highlight the foundational role of scholars such as Kukulska-Hulme, Burston, and Stockwell, while keyword trends demonstrate increasing attention to motivation, engagement, and AI-enhanced learning environments. Overall, the study shows that MALL has matured into a multidimensional research domain shaped by technological advances and shifting pedagogical needs, offering insights for future research directions in mobile and AI-supported language learning.