Online Chat

Abstract

Like email before it, online chat has evolved from being a novel mode of interaction to simply an additional means of communication. The language teaching profession, often among the first to embrace developments in communications technology (Crystal 2001:232) has, characteristically, absorbed chat into its repertoire of learning media, while simultaneously monitoring its effects on, and potential for, language learning. This chapter takes a dual perspective on the use of online chat for language learning. It represents and describes chat as an emerging language variety characterised by idiosyncratic linguistic and interactional features and it explores how these characteristics offer potential for language learning. The chapter draws on research in progress, based on the author's expriences in using chat with language learners and teachers.