Mapping the Evolution of Computer-Assisted Language Learning Research: A 44-Year Bibliometric Overview

This bibliometric analysis explores the evolution of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) research spanning from 1979 to 2023. The study meticulously examines various metrics of CALL research across the past four decades, focusing on geographical and institutional productivity, citation impact, and the thematic co-occurrence of keywords. Employing a dataset comprising 5630 articles sourced from the Scopus database, the study leverages bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibexcel for analysis. The results highlight a notable growth in CALL research, culminating in 613 articles published in 2023. Computers & Education Journal and journals specialising in CALL have emerged as primary platforms for high-impact publications, with the Language Learning & Technology Journal standing out due to its high citation frequency. English-speaking countries lead in the research landscape, with Taiwan and China also showing significant productivity. The analysis points to an increased focus on flipped learning over the past 7 years, with vocabulary and writing being the most studied language skills. Mobile-assisted Language Learning (MALL) prevails as the dominant technological modality, while Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) ranks as the most impactful pedagogical strategy. Overall, this bibliometric analysis offers comprehensive insights into the trajectory, key contributors, significant publications, and influential themes within CALL research over the last four decades, thereby providing valuable guidance for future research in this field.