While computer-mediated communication and online exchanges between students in second language (L2) pedagogy and research has long been established, recent technological advances have seen a growth in the number of projects undertaken and consequently studies published. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to measure the effects on specific aspects of motivation for students learning English following a 10-week, multicultural virtual exchange project. Participants interacted both synchronously and asynchronously with other non-native English speakers from 10 different countries to make friends, share cultural interests, and practice English in a real-world, non-classroom setting. At the end of the project, participants were asked to complete a survey based on Dörnyei’s concept of the L2 motivational self system and Yashima’s theories on international posture about how their motivations for learning English had changed. The study suggests that extended interactions in a virtual exchange improve participants’ view of themselves as capable speakers, their motivation to become better speakers for their ideal future, and give them a broader perspective on their view of their place in the wider world. In contrast, motivations for learning English as a responsibility towards others were decreased.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.