Journal article · 2023 · Informal learning and social media

Informal digital learning of English (IDLE): A scoping review of what has been done and a look towards what is to come

Ali Soyoof, Barry Lee Reynolds, Boris Vazquez-Calvo, Katherine McLay

Computer Assisted Language Learning · 2023

A review mapping research on informal digital learning of English and identifying questions for language education and future investigation.

Study and methods

A Web of Science search of research published between 1980 and 2019. Thirty studies met the review’s inclusion criteria.

Key findings

  • The literature covers linguistic, affective and cultural dimensions, alongside agency and digital literacies.
  • Mixed methods and qualitative approaches predominate; only two included studies used longitudinal data collection.

The review reflects its database, search terms, inclusion criteria and historical search window.

How this work can be used

Use this review to frame an IDLE study, identify methodological gaps and situate work on language learning beyond the classroom.

Cite this article

Soyoof, A., Reynolds, B. L., Vazquez-Calvo, B., & McLay, K. (2023). Informal digital learning of English (IDLE): A scoping review of what has been done and a look towards what is to come. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 36(4), 608–640. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1936562

First published online 2021-06-28; the citation uses the final issue year, 2023.

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Publication details and access links checked 2026-10-07. Source record.