Public Discussion Forums as a Tool for Language Learning

Abstract

The communicative possibilities of the Internet have been eagerly seized upon by those who deal in the teaching of communication, including language teachers. As a result, there are currently vast numbers of language learners engaged in email exchanges with learners in other countries, while teachers from around the world organize discussion activities between their geographically distanced classes. As yet, however, comparatively little pedagogical use has been made of the learning opportunities offered by public Internet discussion.