Mobile-Assisted Informal Collaborative Learning for Irula Language Revitalisation: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

The Irula language, spoken by India's indigenous Irula tribes in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, faces critical endangerment due to socioeconomic pressures and the dominance of mainstream languages. This study evaluated Mobile-Assisted Informal Collaborative Learning (MAICL) for the revitalisation of the Irula language. Employing mixed methods, the research combined quantitative and qualitative assessments involving 42 participants aged 14 to 30 from three Irula villages in the Nilgiri District. The MAICL intervention incorporated cultural multimedia content and gamified activities delivered through a mobile application. The analysis revealed significant vocabulary improvements (t(41) = 17.17, p < .001), with a mean increase of 7.5 points on a 50-item test, reflecting a 27% enhancement (Cohen's d = 1.2). Participants exhibited high engagement with an average of 13.5 weekly logins, a task completion rate of 78.4%, and positive feedback (4.2/5.0). Correlation analysis indicated relationships between engagement metrics and vocabulary improvement (r = 0.29). The qualitative findings highlighted gamification and collaborative interactions as key motivators. Despite limitations concerning the control group and sample size, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of MAICL in language revitalisation. Recommendations include a community-centered design and cultural gamification. Future research should explore long-term retention and broader indigenous contexts. The MAICL framework showcases the potential to preserve endangered languages through technology-enhanced learning.