A FLASH-BASED MOBILE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE by Dr. Firouz B. Anaraki* Abstract This paper explains the development of a Flash-Based mobile learning system for learning English as a second language (FML4ESL). Adobe Flash CS3 was used to develop this system which works on smart mobile phones and PDAs that support Adobe Flash Lite. Twelve English lessons were developed for this system. University students at Assumption University tried out this system using their mobile devices for a period of 4 weeks. A pretest, posttest, and surveys were used to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of this system. Introduction Learning and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge has become one of the most essential activities in the current knowledge- based economy. Whether seen in the guise of the information age, globalization, knowl- edge acquisition and transfer, or the infor- mation and communication technology revo- lution, this economy requires new methods of knowledge acquisition to convey new skills and tools [1]. Learning in such a context demands radical change. For example, people now often want or need to learn about a subject at a time and place convenient to them. Beyond this increased access, they want the learning to have minimal cost and to be directly applicable to their own environment and needs. Mobile technology has allowed the development of new approaches characterized by just-in-time (JIT) learning and learning on demand. Literature Review One of the first projects where mobile phones were used in language learning was ______________________ *Firouz B. Anaraki has just finished his Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology at the College of Internet Distance Education, Assumption University of Thailand. He is the first doctorate graduate of School of eLearning Science at CIDE. Dr. Firouz Anaraki is currently working at the College of Internet Distance Education as Director of Courseware Production Center and Director of Network operation Center. His team at CIDE is responsible for develop- ment of eLearning courses for various schools at the College and the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (OSMEP). ABAC Journal Vol. 28, No. 3 (September-December 2008, pp.25-35) 25