Foreign language learning in immersive virtual environments

Benjamin Chang; Lee Sheldon; Mei Si; Anton Hand

doi:10.1117/12.909835

8 February 2012 Foreign language learning in immersive virtual environments

Benjamin Chang, Lee Sheldon, Mei Si, Anton Hand

Proceedings Volume 8289, The Engineering Reality of Virtual Reality 2012; 828902 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909835
Event: IS&T/SPIE Electronic Imaging, 2012, Burlingame, California, United States

Abstract

Virtual reality has long been used for training simulations in fields from medicine to welding to vehicular operation, but simulations involving more complex cognitive skills present new design challenges. Foreign language learning, for example, is increasingly vital in the global economy, but computer-assisted education is still in its early stages. Immersive virtual reality is a promising avenue for language learning as a way of dynamically creating believable scenes for conversational training and role-play simulation. Visual immersion alone, however, only provides a starting point. We suggest that the addition of social interactions and motivated engagement through narrative gameplay can lead to truly effective language learning in virtual environments. In this paper, we describe the development of a novel application for teaching Mandarin using CAVE-like VR, physical props, human actors and intelligent virtual agents, all within a semester-long multiplayer mystery game. Students travel (virtually) to China on a class field trip, which soon becomes complicated with intrigue and mystery surrounding the lost manuscript of an early Chinese literary classic. Virtual reality environments such as the Forbidden City and a Beijing teahouse provide the setting for learning language, cultural traditions, and social customs, as well as the discovery of clues through conversation in Mandarin with characters in the game.

Citation Download Citation

Benjamin Chang, Lee Sheldon, Mei Si, and Anton Hand "Foreign language learning in immersive virtual environments", Proc. SPIE 8289, The Engineering Reality of Virtual Reality 2012, 828902 (8 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909835

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available