Research into practice: Virtual exchange in language teaching and learning

• Published in: Language teaching Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 392 - 406
• Main Authors: Dooly, Melinda, Vinagre, Margarita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.07.2022
• Subjects: Collaboration; Communication; Computer assisted language learning; Cultural Awareness; Cultural Differences; Education; Educational Technology; Elementary Secondary Education; Language acquisition; Learning Processes; Pedagogy; Peer Relationship; Postsecondary Education; Second Language Instruction; Second language learning; Social interaction; Teachers; Teaching; Teaching Methods; Technology Uses in Education; Thinking Allowed; United States > US
• ISSN: 0261-4448; 1475-3049
• DOI: 10.1017/S0261444821000069

In this article, the authors reflect on the ways research on Virtual Exchange (VE) has had an impact on language education practices and, conversely, areas in which research has been underexplored, misapplied or perhaps even over applied by VE practitioners in formal education settings. Starting from a brief historical overview of VE, the text first outlines the features widely accepted as key aspects of this pedagogical approach before considering to what extent research results can be identified in VE implementation. Principal topics covered are the main aims regarding language development when VE is applied, assessment of language development through VE and VE and intercultural competence. While the article is not intended as a comprehensive review, it provides insight into the main foci of VE research and how these findings are reaching the language classroom (primary, secondary and university).