Linguodidactic potential of metaverse language environments for teaching Russian as a foreign language

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Abstract

Since 2020, the term “metaverse” has been spontaneously used in both scientific and media discourse, particularly in relation to multiplayer virtual worlds and the new generation of the Internet Web3. These resources spontaneously form artificial language environments, which are sometimes used within the communicative approach to foreign language teaching. However, there is no common definition of the metaverse in the scientific literature. The aim of this study is to analyze the linguodidactic potential of virtual language environments in metaverses for communicative teaching of Russian as a foreign language. This study examines the features of metaverses in the context of virtual learning and the broader scientific discourse dedicated to modern approaches to computer-assisted linguodidactics. The research employed a comprehensive set of methods, including scientific observation, critical analysis of literature, study and synthesis of foreign language learning experiences using v-learning technologies as described by foreign scientists, and terminological analysis. The study resulted in an analysis of the linguodidactic potential based on the most current scientific works on the topic. A set of identified features led to an updated understanding of the metaverse as a technology in education. The findings suggest that virtual language environments in metaverses have high linguodidactic potential for communicative teaching of Russian. Virtual language environments in metaverses possess several properties inherent to real ones, which enhances students’ motivation and deep engagement in the learning process. This prospectively justifies the expansion of these technologies in distance learning of Russian as a foreign language.

About the authors

Elkhan G. Azimov

Pushkin State Russian Language Institute

Email: EGAzimov@pushkin.institute
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3282-9177
SPIN-code: 2810-5922

PhD, Professor, Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation, Professor of the Department of Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language

6 Akademika Volgina St, Moscow, 117485, Russian Federation

Vladimir A. Zhiltsov

Pushkin State Russian Language Institute

Author for correspondence.
Email: vajiltsov@pushkin.institute
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4161-5119
SPIN-code: 4257-5106

Candidate of Pedagogy, Chief Expert of the Department of Scientific Activity

6 Akademika Volgina St, Moscow, 117485, Russian Federation

Varvara M. Filippova

Pushkin State Russian Language Institute

Email: vmfilippova@pushkin.institute
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1480-1039
SPIN-code: 1246-2776

Candidate of Pedagogy, Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Specialist Internship

6 Akademika Volgina St, Moscow, 117485, Russian Federation

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Copyright (c) 2024 Azimov E.G., Zhiltsov V.A., Filippova V.M.

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