Anyone in the United States who wants to learn Spanish can easily find local instructional options. Opportunities abound as well for maintaining one's Spanish: all-Spanish television stations, widely distributed print media, and an abundance of native speakers. Learning opportunities and resources for other commonly taught languages (CTL) such as…

The importance of authentic communicative practices in foreign language (FL) learning has long been recognized. However, most FL learners lack adequate access to authentic communicative environments in the target language. In this article, we propose the use of telepresence robots as a potential solution to bridge this gap. Telepresence robots can…

In Western countries today, instructed language learning in higher education normally includes use of the Web: as a resource in face-to-face classes, as an equal partner in instructional delivery in hybrid courses, or as the primary teaching and learning environment in distance learning. Most often today this is enabled through use of a learning…

The present study examines the professional growth of three Chinese English teachers by analyzing their interactional patterns and their social and cognitive presence in an online community. The data from social network analysis (SNA) and content analysis revealed that computer-mediated communication (CMC) created new opportunities for teachers to…

Although the foreign-language profession routinely stresses the importance of technology for the curriculum, many teachers still harbor deep-seated doubts as to whether or not a hybrid course, much less a completely distance-learning class, could provide L2 learners with a way to reach linguistic proficiency, especially with respect to oral…

Interest in the remote delivery of language instruction has increased significantly in recent years. This article highlights new web options, hybrid applications, and task-based language learning. A substantial resource list is provided. (Author/VWL)

Analyzed the patterns and types of collaborative interactions taking place in three online teacher education classes and used the findings as a guide in the design of instructional interventions. (Author/VWL)

Considers implications for distance learning of negotiations by a group of intermediate learners of Italian interacting in dyads on a Web-based Italian native speaker (NS) chat program. Explores whether NS chat rooms are likely to offer an optimal environment for second language acquisition. (Author/VWL)

This study involves three dimensions: distance language education (DLE) as the context, videoconferencing as the technology, and the provision of synchronous oral and visual interaction in DLE as the core research problem. This article follows on this author's previous research in regard to the inclusion of oral and visual interaction in distance…

Following a preliminary experience in a low-tech environment for distance language learning and teaching, two challenges were identified in the design of university language courses: the necessity to build sufficient flexibility into materials to cater to learners' styles, interests, and skill levels, and a need to design materials that would…

Draws on the experience of a cohort of 22 multinational and multilingual students enrolled in a Master's in Education distance learning program administered by a British university. The purpose was to locate aims and philosophies of distance learning within the experiences of actual distance learners to see if learners needs were being met by the…

In order to respond to learners' need for more flexible speaking opportunities and to overcome the geographical challenge of students spread over the United Kingdom and continental Western Europe, the Open University recently introduced Internet-based, real-time audio conferencing, thus making a groundbreaking move in the distance learning and…