Authenticity of language practices in virtual learning sites

Abstract

In this chapter, the focus lies on language practices on virtual learning sites. A questionnaire sent to students on net-based courses in English demonstrated that the informants still had a conservative view of norms in the English language, in that they aimed to have native speaker-like proficiency. They reported that English as a lingua franca was relevant for communication with other non-native speakers in informal situations; however, education in particular was seen as a preserve of native-speaker norms. The informants saw English as a lingua franca as a performance variety that they wanted to learn alongside native varieties. However, textchat data of actual language practices demonstrated that users of English can develop their own norms through interaction with other non-native speakers. The conclusion of these studies is that, even though they may still report that they want to be like native speakers, they do develop their own language practices in the process of interacting with others. This entails that they have a much freer practical view of what is authentic language than their reported attitudes suggest, and I propose that this is due to them using the language on a virtual learning site. Thus, virtual learning sites are environments where, consciously or unconsciously, new non-standard linguistic practices can be developed.