36 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ REFLECTION TOWARD FREE APPLICATIONS FOR EFL SELF-LEARNING Ani Susanti and Ali Tarmuji anisusanti@pbi.uad.ac.id Ahmad Dahlan University, Indonesia ABSTRACT Advancement of technology makes some changes in education including in EFL learning. Nowadays, students learn not only formally in the class but also independently outside the class. In the era of mobile technology, self-learning using personal smart phones grows as a new trend to enhance English skills. There are hundreds of applications developed for English learning. While most of applications related to EFL are made for kids and vocabulary building; adolescents and adult students feel confused when they want to spend their spare for self- learning. This paper discusses about selected free android applications for EFL writing self- learning. The selected applications are Duolingo, Hello English, and Elevate. First, the criteria and the process for choosing the applications are presented. Seconds, the writers discussed the students’ perception toward the applications. Keywords: mobile learning, EFL writing, and mobile applications INTRODUCTION Nowadays, smart phone technology is not only used for communication but also for fun and education. Due to the popularity of smartphone for fun and educations thousands of applications (apps) are growing in the market for android and IOS. However the huge number of mobile applications might be confusing for the users when choosing the best application for their English learning. This study aims to filter suitable applications for high school learners which most of them are intermediate English learners. Besides, this st udy explores the students’ perception toward the use of mobile application for EFL learning and writing. LITERATURE REVIEW Kukulska-Hulme & Shield (2008) defines MALL as “formal and informal learning mediated via handled devices which are potentially available for use of anytime, anywhere” Language learners who used their devices such as phones, tablets, electronic dictionaries, MP3 Players, and gaming devices to study autonomously improve their language skills (Kukulska- Hulme & Shield, 2008). Review on MALL presents that mobile learning has both advantages and challenges. Mobile learning facilitates social interaction, data exchanging and collaboration with other learners (Chinnery, 2006). Sa’aleek (2014) summarizes that mobile technology effectively enhance the language skills due to the features such as accessibility, interactivity, immediacy, and permanency. However, MALL also has challenges such as reduced screen sized, limited audiovisual quality, virtual keyboarding and one finger data entry, and limited power (Chinnery, 2006). A study about students’ perception toward the use of mobile application was reported by Wang and Chen (2015). The result showed that students have positive perception toward the use of apps with smart phones because they can be used anytime, provide useful materials, and interesting. While Wang and Chen (2015) was involving four college participants, this study reports 35 high school students’ reflections on using certain applications. Sa’aleek (2014) wrote that most studies about MALL focuses on vocabulary, listening, and speaking; whereas grammar, pronunciation and writing skills are underrepresented. This study explores the students thought about how MALL could support their writing improvement.