Online communication for language learning and teaching

Abstract

This book explores the complex relationship between theory, practice and research in online communication for language learning. Unlike no other publication currently available, it combines a discussion of the major concepts that underpin the field of computer-mediated communication for language learning with a mapping of the influences that research across various media has on practice and vice versa. The main concepts are drawn from multiple disciplines: Second Language Acquisition, sociocultural theory, multimodality, multiliteracies, online teaching/learning pedagogies. The book also presents a number of mainly qualitative research methodologies particularly suited to computer-mediated communication for language learning. It brings to the forefront a number of new phenomena that arise in online environments (such as affordances, mediation, collaborative learning, and identity)