Language Acquisition in Virtual Worlds Versus Traditional Classroom Environments: A Comparative Overview Between the United States and Russia

Abstract

The development of virtual worlds (VWs) in the field of language education evolved from purely text-based environments to two- and eventually three-dimensional spaces. VWs date back to the adventure games and simulations of the 1970s. Unlike traditional classroom settings, which are anchored in brick-and-mortar buildings, VWs give language learners the opportunity to practice languages in simulated, visually rich settings. Collaborative and communicative learning opportunities in VWs, together with the ubiquitous growth of online learning platforms and online degrees, raise questions on the long-term outlook for language teaching and learning in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Although both the Russian Federation and the United States have a multitude of programmes, education degrees and certifications with specific competency requirements for future language teachers and higher education faculty, are there common long-term concerns about domains and respective definitions in technology, multicultural education and language acquisition? To shed light on these questions, the authors analysed US and Russian national missions and second language teaching standards for communication study teacher preparation programmes.