Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Narratives of Personalization among Chinese university Students Using English Learning Applications

Abstract

This study explores how Chinese university students perceive and engage with personalization features in English learning applications. Grounded in a situated learning perspective, it investigates the complex interplay between algorithm-driven customization and students' self-defined needs within China's exam-oriented cultural context. Through mixed methods, we uncover a tension between the desire for efficient, exam-aligned recommendations and the need for learner agency. Findings reveal that the perceived effectiveness of personalization is contingent upon its deep alignment with localized pedagogical practices and individual learning scenarios. The study argues that successful personalization must negotiate between technological adaptivity, cultural embeddedness, and the learner's autonomy.