Virtual Reality in Teaching of Foreign Languages

Abstract

Studying the mechanisms of language and speech abilities showed that the most effective method of learning a foreign language is a method of total immersion as students enter the natural language environment and are in it constantly. But the learning process in the classroom, no matter how organized and communicative it is, cannot replace the real experience of teaching. As the most important factors for the effective foreign language learning are the language environment and the motivation, thus the development of new motivational language learning environments, including virtual reality (VR) and 3D environment, are the basic elements of the learning process. The development of VR technology allows expanding the boundaries of science and introducing innovations in all spheres of human activity. In the educational establishments of the USA and China, VR environments are already widely used, but in Russia VR is used only in a few schools and universities. The group of teachers of Samara State Technical University designed the new generation educational course of English based on the VR technology that creates a real situational interaction in which the student can receive certain information, to carry out scientific and educational elements, project activities. In such educational space, VR helps students to understand the phenomena and situations that cannot be understood and explained in the traditional techniques, to become part of the real world through the simulation. In general, VR is an ideal learning environment, and the possibility of its technologies for teaching has an extremely high potential for application.

Visual aids in teaching ukrainian as a foreign language

“…Теоретичні основи візуалізації навчальної інформації викладено у працях Л. Білоусової та Н. Житеневої [2], К. Дєгтярьової [3], В. Добрової та ін. [10], J. Klerkx [11], О. Колодій та ін. [12].…”

Technology in Teaching Classroom: Experience Review

“…When performing WebQuests, students do not receive ready-made answers or solutions; they independently solve the task. Consequently, WebQuest projects help to: organize an active individual or group search activity; enhance the development of creative thinking and problem solving skills; allow one to implement individual approach; exercise mental abilities (explanation, comparison, classification, interpreting data, integrating information) [12,13]. WebQuest creation and development implies a certain level of subject, methodological, information and communication competence of the instructor.…”

Language Education in the Age of Globalization and Innovation

“…The team of Samara State Technical University, Russia designed and implemented the innovative educational VR course of English that creates a real situation of interaction allowing the student to make contacts, to give and receive certain information, to practice scientific research and educational techniques, to be engaged in project activities [11]. By introducing this course the students got the opportunity to understand the processes and situations that can hardly be explained in the traditional settings, to become a part of the real world through VR simulation.…”