Listening tasks in virtual reality: A pilot study

Abstract

[EN] Listening comprehension is a crucial skill in Foreign Language (FL) learning, yet many FL learners encounter challenges in this area, leading to frustration and discouragement. To address the issue, this pilot study investigated whether high-immersion Virtual Reality (VR) could effectively facilitate attentive listening tasks for FL learners. This quasi-experimental, within-subject pilot study involved ten learners of Chinese from an underserved, urban high school in the United States. Participants experienced an animated story in VR with and without captions, then completed pre- and post-tests to assess language gains and listening comprehension. A questionnaire measured participants' perceptions of VR and the use of captions. Results indicated that VR positively impacted language gains and listening comprehension, showing improvement with both groups of participants. Although the group without captions slightly outperformed the group with captions, this difference was not statistically significant. Novice learners reported challenges in comprehending the VR story, highlighting their need for appropriate scaffolding. Overall, the findings suggest that VR can be an effective tool for practicing listening comprehension for FL learners, but careful consideration of content complexity and scaffolding is crucial for learners at different proficiency levels. This study lays the groundwork for further research on VR-assisted language learning.