Volume 28 Number 1, 2024 The impact of virtual reality (VR) pedagogy on L2 English learners’ oral communication and pragmatic competence

The impact of virtual reality (VR) pedagogy on L2 English learners’ oral communication and pragmatic competence

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bitstream:
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bitstream_txt:
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collection:
Volume 28 Number 1, 2024
contributor.author:
Akay, Melike Kessler, Matt
contributor.editor:
Mimi Li
date.accessioned:
2024-05-28T19:54:43Z
date.available:
2024-05-28T19:54:43Z
date.copyright:
2024
date.issued:
2024-05-28
description.abstract:
Virtual reality (VR) has been recognized as a promising technological advancement in computer-assisted language learning, particularly in foreign language environments, as it can enable second language (L2) learners to meaningfully engage with the target language. However, research is needed that investigates VR’s influence on L2 learning beyond the accuracy and fluency of speech production, including aspects such as pragmatics. Thus, this study explores the effectiveness of a VR tool on the development of L2 English learners’ oral pragmatic abilities. A quasi-experimental, mixed methods design was adopted with university students in Turkey who participated in a control (n = 30) or experimental group (n = 30). For six weeks, the experimental group completed various VR-related tasks using the platform ImmerseMe, while the control group completed regular classroom activities. Data included a pretest-posttest involving oral discourse completion tests, along with semi-structured interviews to examine students’ perceptions of VR. The results revealed that while the VR group made greater gains on average, these differences between groups were not statistically different. Follow-up interviews revealed that students generally enjoyed using VR tasks and felt they were effective, but they also faced challenges. Implications are discussed for future L2 research and teaching with VR.
endingpage:
11
format:
Article
format.extent:
11
identifier.citation:
Akay, M., & Kessler, M. (2024). The impact of virtual reality (VR) pedagogy on L2 English learners’ oral communication and pragmatic competence. Language Learning & Technology, 28(1), 1–11. https://hdl.handle.net/10125/73568
identifier.issn:
1094-3501
identifier.uri:
https://hdl.handle.net/10125/73568
llt.topic:
Language Teacher Education and Technology Forum
number:
1
publicationname:
Language Learning & Technology
publisher:
University of Hawaii National Foreign Language Resource Center Center for Language & Technology
rights.license:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
rights.uri:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
site_url:
/item/10125-73568/
startingpage:
1
subject:
Foreign Language Learning, Oral Communication Skills, Pragmatic Competence, Virtual Reality (VR)
title:
The impact of virtual reality (VR) pedagogy on L2 English learners’ oral communication and pragmatic competence
type:
Column Text
volume:
28