EFL Learners' Intercultural Communication in an Open Social Virtual Environment

Autor/in	Liaw, Meei-Ling
Titel	EFL Learners' Intercultural Communication in an Open Social Virtual Environment
Quelle	In: Educational Technology & Society, 22 (2019) 2, S.38-55 (18 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1436-4522
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; English (Second Language); Intercultural Communication; Communicative Competence (Languages); Computer Simulation; Computer Uses in Education; Student Attitudes; Instructional Effectiveness; Interpersonal Communication; Interaction; Affordances; Technology Integration; College Students; Communication Skills; Speech Communication; Taiwan + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Interkulturelle Kommunikation; Communicative competence; Languages; Kommunikative Kompetenz; Sprache; Computergrafik; Computersimulation; Computernutzung; Schülerverhalten; Unterrichtserfolg; Interpersonale Kommunikation; Interaktion; Collegestudent; Kommunikationsstil
Abstract	This study investigates the effects of using open social VR for university English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' intercultural communication learning. The project involved two stages: (1) carefully designed activities for students to practice different language-learning tasks with their peers; (2) implemented in an open social VR environment for intercultural interactions. Data from multiple sources, including surveys, video-recordings, and oral reports, were collected and analyzed. Findings reveal that the participants perceived the social and physical presences afforded by the VR environment positively. Occurrences of intercultural communicative competence were identified in the participants' interactions with international interlocutors in open social VR spaces. Whereas the participants were doubtful of the effectiveness of the approach when practicing language tasks with their peers, they greatly enjoyed the interactions with international interlocutors via the VR technologies in the digital wild context, i.e., applying the resources outside of the classroom setting. Based on the findings of this study, focuses and directions for future research are discussed and suggested. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	International Forum of Educational Technology & Society. Available from: National Sun Yat-sen University. Department of Information Management, 70, Lien-Hai Rd, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan. Web site: http://www.ifets.info
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01