Volume 30 Number 1, 2026 Task-based language teaching in VR versus traditional settings

Task-based language teaching in VR versus traditional settings

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March 21, 2026, 1:03 p.m.
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March 24, 2026, 9:24 p.m.
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March 24, 2026, 9:24 p.m.
access-status:
open.access
bitstream:
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bitstream_txt:
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collection:
Volume 30 Number 1, 2026
contributor.author:
Ogawa, Koyo
date.accessioned:
2026-03-20T19:41:51Z
date.available:
2026-03-20T19:41:51Z
date.copyright:
2026
date.issued:
2026-03-23
description.abstract:
This study compared Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) delivered in virtual reality (VR) and in traditional settings, examining learning gains, transfer, retention, and learner perceptions. 22 participants completed pretests, immediate posttests, transfer tests, and a questionnaire, while 10 of them, selected to balance proficiency across groups based on posttest scores, additionally completed a two-month delayed posttest and follow-up interviews. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed significant learning gains in both VR and traditional groups (p < .001; p = .006, in target discourse and p = .004; p = .008 in listening tests). ANCOVA indicated no immediate group difference in posttest scores (p = .205; p = .322) or in transfer measures (p = .608). After two months, a Mann–Whitney U test showed the VR group preserved target discourse significantly better than the traditional group (p = .036). Mann–Whitney U analyses of Likert-scale responses revealed greater enjoyment (p = .008), perceived retention (p = .009), reported difficulty (p = .01), and motivation (p = .033) in the VR group. Interview analyses (in vivo coding) highlighted VR affordances that promote contextualized practice and positive emotional engagement. These results suggest VR-TBLT may enhance long-term retention and learner engagement compared with traditional TBLT.
endingpage:
20
format.extent:
20
identifier.citation:
Ogawa, K. (2026). Task-based language teaching in VR versus traditional settings. Language Learning & Technology, 30(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.64152/10125/73672
identifier.doi:
https://doi.org/10.64152/10125/73672
identifier.issn:
1094-3501
identifier.uri:
https://hdl.handle.net/10125/73672
language:
eng
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/10125-73672/
startingpage:
1
subject:
virtual reality (VR), task-based language teaching (TBLT), transfer of learning, retention
title:
Task-based language teaching in VR versus traditional settings
type:
Article Text
volume:
30