Additional functionalities to convert an xMOOC into an xLMOOC

Abstract

This paper deals with the Learn Spanish: Basic Spanish for English Speakers MOOC designed at Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain, for the edX platform. It focuses on the tools that had to be implemented in order to convert a generic xMOOC platform into an LMOOC (or Language MOOC) to reinforce the learners’ productive skills. Upon creating a foreign language learning course for a platform that has not been specifically designed for this aim, a number of shortcomings became apparent which had to be overcome, the main one being the need to encourage and facilitate oral interaction among enrolled students, a challenge which is still in an experimental stage. Firstly, to contextualize the difficulties encountered due to large registration numbers, basic information concerning course registration on this LMOOC will be presented. Secondly, the authors discuss the tools that were implemented in the MOOC specifically designed for foreign language learning.