Foreign language apps find a larger following

The average weekly time studying on their mobile device was five hours, the report said.

A 26-year-old woman respondent named Qi Na was included in the study.

"Smartphone-based education has made studies more convenient and efficient," she said.

"For example, I can read English news through my mobile phone when I wait for a bus or take a break from work. And I don't have to take a book with me every day."

Li Xuhui, founder of the nonprofit online education website Kuxuexi, said smartphone-based Internet education is appealing especially to people who need to study at fragmented times.

"The innovation of Internet technology and the prevalence of PC and smartphones allow people to learn whenever they want and wherever they are," Li said, adding that mobile Internet education will become more common.

According to the China Online Education Report 2013-14, released by Internet consultancy iResearch Group, the online education market in China was worth around 84 billion yuan in 2013, a 19.9 percent increase on the previous year.

The latest industry estimates suggest the number of online learners is expected to grow to 120 million over the next three years.

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