Forging the Future of Language Education Through Virtual Reality
Published 8 November 2024
(In Ep #0 of the Professionall Pathways Podcast | Cal’s Journey into Teacher Education)
“I’m currently working full-time as a teacher at Immerse. Immerse is a virtual reality language learning company and I work at Immerse as an English Language Guide. So, I teach in virtual reality. My students are all over the world! We meet in virtual spaces like a park or a restaurant, and we teach language––French, Spanish, and English right now––in these virtual reality settings that mimic the settings where they would actually be asked to do the tasks that we’re doing. It really helps connect those real-life experiences and interactions to the language content that we’re teaching in our classes. Of course, outside of Immerse I’m still working on a few other projects like the Leadership in World Language Education project with Kathi and of course working on establishing Professionall.”
The future of education is being reimagined, and one of the most exciting frontiers is the integration of virtual reality (VR) into teaching. Companies like Immerse are leading the way by offering immersive environments for learning languages like French, Spanish, and English as a Second Language (ESL). This innovative approach is not just about teaching vocabulary or grammar but creating experiences where students interact in real-life scenarios, such as ordering at a café or navigating a doctor's office. These dynamic settings naturally engage the brain's sensory and motor pathways, making learning deeply interactive and memorable (Immerse, n.d.; FLTMAG, 2023).
Teachers as Pioneers in VR Education
For teachers working in VR contexts, this is a leap into the unknown–—a space where traditional teaching methods must be adapted to an immersive medium. For instance, educators in Immerse lead live classes in dozens of realistic 3D locations, guiding lessons that align sensory experiences with linguistic concepts. This requires us to rethink engagement strategies: How do you foster collaboration when your students are avatars? How do you manage a virtual classroom where everyone might be "sitting" miles apart? How do you explain to a novice ESL student how to use their controller to move their avatar around when you don’t speak their first language? These challenges demand creativity and adaptability, making virtual reality teachers trailblazers in the evolving field of education.
Bridging Technology and Pedagogy
One of the key advantages of VR learning is embodied cognition—–the idea that physical and sensory experiences enhance cognitive processing. By interacting with objects and environments in VR, students learn faster and retain information longer compared to traditional methods. For example, studies have shown that using VR for language learning can lead to structural changes in the brain, boosting vocabulary retention and fluency (Immerse, n.d.; FLTMAG, 2023).
Yet, technology alone isn’t enough. Successful VR educators must connect these immersive experiences to real-world applications. Whether it’s through giving contextualizing examples or acting out a roleplay, teachers ensure that VR learning translates into practical skills, making the technology an asset rather than a novelty.
VR isn’t only useful for learning languages at home. It’s also making a huge impact in traditional classrooms. At Oak Run Middle School in Texas, VR has been instrumental in taking students on global field trips, offering many their first opportunity to "travel" beyond their hometown (Myers, 2019). These experiences have broadened their horizons and illustrated the inclusivity of VR, particularly for overcoming socioeconomic and physical barriers to real-world travel.
This aligns with observations from Schaumburg School District 54 in Illinois (2019), where students used VR to explore places like the moon and Ellis Island. Teachers noted heightened emotional and cognitive engagement during these virtual experiences, which bridged the gap between abstract concepts and tangible learning.
The impact of VR extends beyond field trips. For example, interactive 3D models allow students to explore the structure of animal cells or experiment with chemistry concepts in a safe, virtual environment. According to Martisiute’s report, these immersive approaches facilitate a deeper understanding of material, with students engaging directly with content in a way that traditional textbooks cannot achieve (Martisiute, 2020).
Embracing Uncertainty
Teaching in VR is uncharted territory. Many educators face uncertainties—such as the cost of VR headsets or the steep learning curve for both students and teachers. However, these challenges come with rewards: the opportunity to redefine what education can look like and to engage students in ways that traditional classrooms cannot.
As the world of VR education expands, it will require developers to expand with it, but it will be educators’ adaptability and willingness to embrace innovation that shapes its success. Platforms like Immerse represent just the beginning of what’s possible, reminding us that the future of education is not just digital—–it’s immersive, collaborative, and transformational.
“90% of educators believe VR may help increase student learning…97% of students would attend a class or course with VR…industry forecasts predict that VR in education will be a $700 million industry by 2025.”
Discussion Question
How do you see virtual reality transforming the way we engage students in critical thinking and collaborative learning? If you’ve used VR in your teaching or are considering it, what strategies do you think are essential to ensure its success in the classroom?
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Immerse. (n.d.). Use the power of embodied cognition with immersive and interactive language learning. Retrieved from https://www.immerse.com/blog/use-the-power-of-embodied-cognition-with-immersive-and-interactive-language-learning
FLTMAG. (2023). Teaching languages in virtual reality: Tips and tools for getting started. Retrieved from https://fltmag.com
Martisiute, L. (2020, December 3). Virtual Reality (VR) in Education: A Complete Guide. E-Student. Retrieved from https://e-student.org/virtual-reality-in-education
Myers, N. (2019). [Interview with EdTech Magazine on virtual reality field trips in education]. Retrieved from https://edtechmagazine.com
Schaumburg School District 54. (2019). Using virtual reality in K-12 education. Retrieved from https://schaumburg54.org
