Immersive virtual reality

Abstract

This chapter intends to be a guide to practitioners and researchers interested in the use of immersive virtual technology in the context of language teaching and, more specifically, virtual exchange. To that end, three main aspects will be addressed. Firstly, the relationship between virtual reality and language education will be explored, with a focus on research studies conducted in non-immersive environments, particularly in virtual worlds. Secondly, Immersive virtual reality (IVR) will be presented as a technology linked to complex theoretical underpinnings and offering an array of different devices. The final section provides a detailed review of the research conducted to date addressing IVR and language learning, as well as its affordances for virtual exchange.