The Role Immersive Technology in Creating Rich Affordance Environment for ELT

Abstract

In contemporary educational contexts, the application of immersive technologies (VR, AR, and MR) in English Language Teaching (ELT) has gained significant attention. Thus, the aim of this literature review is to investigate the benefits of these technologies in creating rich affordance environments for language learning within ELT via the theoretical frameworks of affordances and sociocultural theory. This review synthesizes recent research on the impact of VR, AR, and MR on language acquisition, emphasizing their established benefits in enhancing engagement and interactivity. The analysis of current studies via the lens of Socio-cultural theory reveals that immersive technologies effectively support the process of creating meaningful and contextualized learning experiences. This review intends to offer insights to educators and researchers who want to utilize immersive technologies to design language learning experiences that are engaging, successful, and aligned with current pedagogical approaches.