Online Communication in Language Learning and Teaching (Research and Practice in Applied Linguistics)

Online Communication in Language Learning and Teaching offers theoretical and practical as well as research perspectives for approaching technologies that support online communication for language learning. Examining tools such as forums, chats, audio and visual real-time platforms as well as virtual worlds and mobile devices, and reviewing the literature that deals with such tools in use in educational settings, the authors identify key theoretical issues (e.g. pedagogic developments in online language learning, learning theories, teacher and student experience, assessment) and offer a thorough appraisal of the potential benefits and challenges of learning and teaching a language via these technologies. The authors talk directly and practically to teachers about research issues of relevance to them and suggest do-able small-scale projects, as well as providing an extensive annotated collection of online resources.