Typical Learner Profiles in College English Classrooms: A Mixed‑Methods Study and Pedagogical Implications

CEF

Contemporary Education Frontiers

3029-18793029-1860

Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.

10.26689/CEF.v4i6.15597

Article

Typical Learner Profiles in College English Classrooms: A Mixed‑Methods Study and Pedagogical Implicationshttps://artdesignp.com/journal/CEF/4/6/10.26689/CEF.v4i6.15597WangTiantian,XueJialin,YuMuzhen

2026

2026-06-26

While mobile‑assisted language learning (MALL) has been widely studied, relevant learner profiles, particularly in the college English classroom, remain underexplored. The article examines learner profiles in China’s college English classroom. Based on questionnaire data from 111 students and semi‑structured interviews with 5 students and 2 college English teachers, we identify three typical learner profiles: Self-directed elites, GPA-oriented professionals and Classroom gamers. The three learner profiles differ greatly in learning behaviors, motivation, emotions, digital resources use, and course expectations. The paper thus concludes that a one‑size‑fits‑all teaching approach fails to accommodate such learner diversity, and offers action plans for personalized instruction and task design, with implications for learner‑centered pedagogy and digital learning tool designers.College English,Learner profile,EFL teaching reform,Digital learning tools

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