Supporting dyadic learning of English for tourism purposes with scenery-based virtual reality

Abstract

The field of language education has experienced a rise in using virtual reality (VR) to support interactive, contextualized, and collaborative language learning in recent years. The current study investigates the effects of auditory, visual, and textual input on speaking and writing in English for Tourism Purposes (ETP) through immersive, scenery-based virtual reality (SBVR) dyadic learning. Adopting a framework on ETP sociocultural, linguistic, and formulaic competence, the researchers designed relevant learning content using audios, images, and verbatim onscreen text on EduVenture VR to create an interactive, simulated tour. Thirty-eight English as a foreign language undergraduates participated in this single-group quasi-experiment. Various data sources included speaking and writing pre-, post- and delayed post-tests, a post-intervention survey, and reflections about the VR learning experience. The study reported significant speaking gains in language accuracy, destination promotion, knowledge retention, and replication of ETP language, as well as significant writing improvement in using sophisticated vocabulary, knowledge retention, and replication of ETP language. The study concludes that SBVR warrants positive impact on improving productive ETP skills. Possible factors, limitations, and pedagogical implications for using scenery-based VR in dyadic learning for ETP are discussed. Finally, the study suggests future research directions to combine technology-enhanced language learning theories with multimodal input and material design supported by immersive VR to enhance language production for specific purposes.

Keywords:

• English for tourism purposes
• virtual reality
• multimodal input
• dyadic learning
• speaking and writing

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the students who participated in the study. We also thank Ms. Yi-Min Chiu for her dedication in the inter-rating and coordination at the research site.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan (MOST 108-2511-S-006-005-MY3 and MOST 106-2511-S-006-002-MY2).

Notes on contributors

Vivien Lin

Vivien Lin is currently an Assistant Professor at the Graduate Institute of Children’s English at National Changhua University of Education in Taiwan. Dr. Lin holds a Ph.D. degree in Linguistics and Foreign Language Instruction from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), a Master degree in TESOL from New York University, and a B.A. in Economics and Asian & Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests include Robot-Assisted Language Learning, Context-Aware Ubiquitous Language Learning, EFL/ELL Education, and Academic Writing. She can be reached via email at [email protected].

Neil E. Barrett

Neil Edward Barrett is an Assistant Professor in the English Language Center at Southern Taiwan University of Science & Technology (STUST), Tainan, Taiwan where he has been a faculty member since 2017. He received his PhD degree in Applied Linguistics and Foreign Language Teaching from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan, in 2017. He completed his doctoral dissertation on the role of new learning technologies for second language academic oral presentations. Dr. Barrett’s research interests cover the influence of technology on second language teaching and learning in areas such as second language writing with technology, academic oral presentations, mobile learning, and ubiquitous learning systems. He has published articles and carried out projects on learning technologies for academic oral presentations, and the application of new technologies for second language writing. He enjoys spending time eating and cooking with his family, riding his bicycle, and running in the mountains. He can be reached through the email at [email protected]

Gi-Zen Liu

Gi-Zen Liu is a Distinguished Professor & Chairperson in the Department of Foreign Languages & Literature at NCKU in Tainan, Taiwan. Prof. Liu received his PhD degree in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington in the United States in 2003. His major research areas include digital language learning, mobile and context-aware ubiquitous learning, design and evaluation of English Language Teaching, plagiarism avoidance, and online writing tutorials. In addition, Prof. Liu has been serving on the Editorial Board of several academic journals, including Journal of Computer Assisted Learning and International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organization. In 2016, Prof. Liu received the K. T. Li Honorary Scholar Award in Taiwan. As a corresponding author of this article, Prof. Liu can be reached through the email [email protected]

Nian-Shing Chen

Nian-Shing Chen is a Chair Professor at National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan. He has published over 400 academic papers in the international referred journals, conferences and book chapters. Prof. Chen has received the national outstanding research awards for three times from the National Science Council in 2008, 2013 and the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2015–2017. His current research interests include assessing e-Learning course performance; online synchronous teaching & learning; mobile & ubiquitous learning; embodied cognition & game-based learning. Prof. Chen is serving as editorial board members for many international journals and guest editors for more than 15 special issues of international journals. He has also organized and chaired numerous international conferences and workshops in the area of advanced learning technologies. Professor Chen is a senior and golden core member of IEEE, ACM and the Editor-in-Chief for the SSCI-indexed journal of Educational Technology & Society. His email is [email protected]

Morris Siu-Yung Jong

Morris Siu-Yung Jong is the Director of the Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, and an Associate Professor of Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Currently, he is also in the capacity of Co-Chair of the IEEE Education Society Technical Committee on Learning Sciences, Vice-President of the China Association for Educational Technology Professional Committee on Game-based Learning, Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, as well as Honourary Research Fellow of the Learning Sciences Lab, Peking University. His research interests include learning sciences, gamification, educational VR, context-aware mobile learning, and teacher facilitation in technology-enhanced learning environments. His email address is [email protected].