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European project XRWomen aims to promote language literacy not only for refugees, but also for fans of new technologies
On 6 June 2023, the international consortium of the XRWomen project met in Prague. Co-funded by Erasmus+ European funds, the project aims primarily to promote the language skills of refugee women and women with limited opportunities using XR technologies, digital applications and tools.
Linguistics researchers, teachers and other experts from five European countries – Cyprus, Poland, Greece, the Czech Republic and Switzerland – gathered to discuss the results of their work and the next steps in the project.
Learning a language is an essential step towards the empowerment of refugees and a prerequisite for their successful integration and active participation in local society, the international project partners unanimously agreed. They are therefore currently developing a methodological framework for integrating augmented and virtual reality technologies into host country language teaching.
The result will be an online e-learning platform for language teachers and refugee women, which will introduce online XR tools for foreign language learning and practical guides on how to work with them in the classroom. Virtual and augmented reality tools, as well as various mobile applications, can speed up and facilitate foreign language learning not only for immigrants, but also for all those for whom traditional face-to-face classes are less accessible – whether for time or logistical reasons.
Meet the XR in language learning
Learning a foreign language has perhaps never been easier than now. Learning a foreign language through XR (Extended Reality) technology can be an exciting and effective way to immerse yourself in language learning. XR refers to a combination of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies that provide an immersive and interactive environment. Using digital technologies, apps, augmentation tools, and virtual reality, we can practice conversations and new vocabulary every day independent of the teacher or classroom.
XR apps allow for interactive language practice through speech recognition and virtual characters that respond to your spoken language. This allows you to practice pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar in a realistic and engaging way.
While some apps only require a mobile phone, others require a special headset and hardware. For virtual reality (VR), you’ll require a VR headset like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, or PlayStation VR. For augmented reality (AR), you can use devices such as smartphones or tablets with AR capabilities, such as iOS devices with ARKit or Android devices with ARCore.
While XR can offer an immersive language learning experience, meeting participants agreed that it should complement other language learning methods. Regular practice with native speakers, exposure to authentic materials, and a structured curriculum are still essential components of language learning. XR can augment these traditional approaches by providing an immersive and interactive dimension to your language learning journey.
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