The use of technology such as online software has been examined in English as a foreign language (EFL) writing contexts. However, few studies have incorporated context-aware ubiquitous technology into EFL writing instruction. To develop multimodal and digital literacy of target EFL undergraduates in this pilot project, the researchers designed and implemented an augmented-reality context-aware ubiquitous writing (ARCAUW) application, which aimed to increase long-term memory, motivation, and self-regulated cognition in participants’ writing development. The pilot project compared the writing outcomes and learner perceptions of the proposed ARCAUW writing mode against the baseline mobile-assisted, classroom-based writing mode. The two writing modes differed in the way that metacognitive scaffolding tasks were carried out. Pre- and post-test results showed that (a) although both modes led to significant improvement in writing the process analysis essay, ARCAUW was conducive to the development of task schema in long-term memory, motivation, and self-regulation in writing, and (b) additional cognitive processing during AR-based learning led to mixed results in writing performance. It was concluded that ARCAUW should be incorporated into mobile-assisted writing courses to reach optimal instructional outcomes. Finally, a five-step procedure was offered to help EFL practitioners design and implement ubiquitous writing in their own teaching contexts.

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.

Little review research has been conducted to describe the interaction and inter-relationships among components of reading development facilitated through mobile assisted language learning (MALL). The language learners, mediation via mobile devices, learning context, learning material and tasks, and learning outcomes need to be carefully examined in mobile-assisted reading. Hence, 28 empirical studies on mobile-assisted reading research published between 2008 and 2018 were selected and evaluated by the Activity Theory (AT) model. The investigators explored the research design of the studies and examined how reading development through mobile-assisted reading could be interpreted from seven constituents of AT – tool, subject, object, rules, community, division of labor, and outcome. In addition, facilitating processes conducive to reading development were analyzed. Based on the desired outcomes achieved by the facilitating processes, design-, strategy-, and learner-related guidelines for reading development in MALL were proposed. The ultimate goal of MALL for fostering self-regulated learning is also discussed. The review provides instructors and researchers with detailed sociocultural accounts and recommendations for the design and implementation of reading in MALL.

Although educational robots are known for their capability to support language learning, how actual interaction processes lead to positive learning outcomes has not been sufficiently examined. To explore the instructional design and the interaction effects of robot-assisted language learning (RALL) on learner performance, this study systematically reviewed twenty-two empirical studies published between 2010 and 2020. Through an inclusion/exclusion procedure, general research characteristics such as the context, target language, and research design were identified. Further analysis on oral interaction design, including language teaching methods, interactive learning tasks, interaction processes, interactive agents, and interaction effects showed that the communicative or storytelling approach served as the dominant methods complemented by total physical response and audiolingual methods in RALL oral interactions. The review provides insights on how educational robots can facilitate oral interactions in language classrooms, as well as how such learning tasks can be designed to effectively utilize robotic affordances to fulfill functions that used to be provided by human teachers alone. Future research directions point to a focus on meaning-based communication and intelligibility in oral production among language learners in RALL.