Virtual research laboratory in foreign language teaching: Strategies and role

Source: compiled by the author

The analysis of the respondents' answers shows a generally positive attitude towards the use of virtual laboratories in the process of teaching a foreign language. The advantages identified include the active use of this technology by students, which underlines its widespread use in the academic environment. Given the modern requirements for education and the rapidly changing landscape of technological innovation, the study of the effectiveness and relevance of interactive technologies in the learning process is becoming an important component of the pedagogical approach. Some responses highlight the need for further adaptation and support of this technology. Some students highlighted the need for additional support or learning resources to make effective use of virtual laboratories. This may indicate that further development and refinement are required to fully meet student needs and make optimal use of the technology. However, it is worth noting that the majority of survey participants still express confidence in the convenience and effectiveness of virtual laboratories. They note the comfort and effectiveness of this technology for users. The observation that virtual laboratories help students to concentrate better on their studies is also an important aspect that indicates their relevance for increasing concentration during the learning process.

Modern virtual laboratories focus on several key aspects. They attempt to simulate real laboratory conditions as accurately as possible, where students can conduct virtual experiments. These laboratories are highly accessible: available online from anywhere in the world, providing access anytime. At the same time, safety is an important advantage, as virtual laboratories can be used to conduct research without the real risks associated with hazardous substances or equipment. Furthermore, they often offer interactive tools and scenarios that promote active user interaction with the virtual environment. Virtual laboratories play an important role in education: they demonstrate concepts, develop practical skills, and stimulate students' interest in the subject matter. Virtual laboratories are widely used in a variety of industries, including education, science, engineering, and medicine, allowing research and training to take place in a simulated environment. To improve the learning process and ensure high-quality education, it is recommended to focus on the following aspects. It is necessary to ensure support from university structures, develop additional learning resources, conduct training for teachers and students, and regularly evaluate the effectiveness of virtual laboratories. Such a comprehensive approach will maximise the benefits of virtual technologies in foreign language teaching and meet the needs of the modern educational process.

In the modern world, where technological progress is steadily moving forward, educational approaches are also undergoing radical changes. The digital age generation constantly seeks ways to integrate mobile technologies into all areas of their lives, including education. This phenomenon has led to the emergence of a new approach to education - mobile learning. Mobile learning opens up many opportunities for educators and students. In particular, in the context of learning English as a foreign language, mobile technologies are becoming an indispensable tool. AR is one of the key technologies in this context. AR can integrate digital content such as video, audio, and images into the real world, expanding it and adding new dimensions. In the context of learning, AR can create interactive scenarios where students can interact with virtual objects or characters, gaining new knowledge and enjoying the process. One of the key benefits of using AR in mobile learning is to increase student motivation. Interactivity and visualisation in AR create an engaging learning environment that stimulates interest in the subject. In addition, AR can adapt to individual student needs by providing personalised tasks and materials. It is also important to note that AR can make it easier to learn complex concepts or topics. Visualisation through AR can contribute to a better understanding of the material, especially in the context of language learning, where correct pronunciation, accentuation, and melody are important. In general, AR in mobile learning opens up new horizons for the educational process. It combines technological progress and pedagogical innovations to create an effective, engaging, and interactive learning environment.

The study also examined which virtual labs are used by students to learn a foreign language. The survey found that modern students use many different virtual laboratories and online resources that provide opportunities for language learning. In particular, Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, Babbel, Memrise, Busuu, Lingodeer, BBC Languages and Italki (Table 2).

Following the survey results, it is worth noting that students who learn foreign languages using virtual laboratories reflect on the positive aspects of this tool. Let us consider the main scientific aspects that they note in their experience. Students note that virtual laboratories create an interactive environment that encourages students to engage in active learning. This is especially important for the formation of a student's active attitude towards learning foreign languages, as they have the opportunity to choose their tasks and actively participate in the learning process (Huang & Wu, 2023). The use of virtual laboratories allows students to study at their own pace, anywhere, anytime. This encourages independence in learning and flexibility of schedule, which is important in the context of modern requirements for educational technologies. Interaction with other users in virtual labs helps students develop their language skills. This includes the ability to communicate and use the language in practical situations, which improves their communication and language use skills in real-life situations. Students emphasise the accessibility of virtual laboratories, expressing satisfaction with the possibility of using free or trial options. The level of support students receive through these platforms is also considered important. Students' perception is that virtual laboratories significantly increase the effectiveness of their learning and make the process more convenient. The high evaluation of their effectiveness demonstrates their belief in the importance and benefits of using this tool.

Thus, the survey results indicate that virtual laboratories are a significant tool for learning foreign languages in the modern educational environment, promoting active and effective learning that meets the requirements of the modern educational process.

Discussion

Virtual research laboratories in foreign language teaching are a relevant and promising area that attracts the attention of scientists from all over the world. Different approaches and strategies proposed in research can play a key role in shaping optimal teaching methods. The positions of researchers should be studied and compared with the study results for a thorough analysis.

According to N. Enzai et al. (2021), significant changes in educational processes have occurred under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, the transition to online distance learning. Of particular interest is the possibility of using AR, which can overlay multimedia content in the real world using common web devices such as smartphones and tablets. This provides flexibility and accessibility to the learning process anywhere and anytime. According to the researchers, the use of AR can not only increase student engagement and motivation but also help overcome the financial and space constraints associated with scientific and technical equipment in laboratories. Given the above studies and the findings of this paper, it can be argued that the use of AR in education has great potential to improve the learning process, in particular in ensuring accessibility, motivating students and optimising the use of resources.

The study conducted by L. Canals (2020) on the use of virtual environments for foreign language learning revealed several important aspects. According to the results, the virtual learning environment has proven to be an effective tool for stimulating the development of students' oral language skills. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying the positive impact of this approach on stimulating students' motivation to actively concentrate on learning a foreign language. The author notes that virtual learning has contributed to the formation of students' sense of purpose, as well as the desire to cooperate with peers in performing communicative tasks. The analysis of the study results indicates that the effectiveness of the virtual environment was particularly pronounced among those students who started their studies with a lower level of language proficiency. This may be because the virtual environment provides additional opportunities for individualising the learning process and adapting to the characteristics of each student. As such, the researcher's study confirms the importance of using virtual technologies in modern education, especially in the context of foreign language learning. Compared with the results of this study, it is worth noting that virtual learning can effectively combine technological and pedagogical aspects, contributing to a deeper understanding and mastery of the language by students of different levels of knowledge.

One of the key aspects of a study by I. Bagea (2023) is the consideration of students' motivation in the language learning process. She pointed out that a deep cultural understanding can be an additional incentive for students, which can make the learning process more enjoyable and effective. Furthermore, the style of communication and perception of the language and culture being studied also change as students develop deeper cultural understanding. Ultimately, the researcher's study highlights not only the importance of language learning in the context of globalisation but also the need to integrate cultural aspects into the learning process, which helps students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, an essential component of modern international interaction. Compared to the results of this study, it is worth noting that technology alone does not ensure success - it is also necessary to integrate cultural aspects into the learning process. In summary, although virtual learning has many technological advantages, the researcher emphasises that cultural context is a key factor in ensuring the success of this learning approach.

Over the past decades, virtual learning environments have played a key role in modernising approaches to foreign language learning. R. Hampel & U. Stickler (2012) focused on the revolutionary opportunities that these technologies offer for advanced language acquisition, considering them from a psycholinguistic and sociocultural perspective. The central aspect of this approach is the mediation of language learning through active interaction with experts and peers. Scientists emphasise that the use of various artefacts, including technological solutions, contributes to the creation of complex mechanisms for learning a foreign language. According to the researchers, students actively integrate and adapt different modes of communication to maximise the effectiveness of the learning process and create deep linguistic meaning. It is worth noting that modern online video conferencing, which is a multimodal platform, opens up new perspectives in foreign language teaching. Both teachers and learners are adapting to this dynamic environment by exploring and adapting new strategies of communication and interaction. Thus, this innovative pedagogical paradigm opens the door to new models of communication, enriching the process of learning foreign languages and increasing students' motivation to actively participate in the learning process.

According to pedagogical expert M. Hamilton (2013), the concept of digital learning, which focuses on learners' autonomy, increased choice, and independence, seems attractive and logical at first glance. However, the author emphasises that a detailed analysis of this model turns out to be much more complex and nuanced than it might seem at first glance. M. Hamilton emphasises the need for an in-depth study of the theories behind the development of autonomy in the context of virtual language learning. The researcher also suggests that a deeper understanding of the relationship between the concept of autonomy and the use of technology in the learning process can have a significant impact on methodological approaches to language teaching. Compared to the results of the present study, it is worth noting that such an understanding is critical for all participants in the educational process, from academic researchers to teachers, providing the basis for effective and innovative learning in the modern world.

M. Rahimi & J. Fathi (2022) analysed the impact of using electronic tools on the development of English as a foreign language (EFL) students' speech competency. The researchers focused on such aspects of speech activity as fluency and coherence of utterances, vocabulary, grammatical rank of expressiveness and its accuracy, as well as the phonetic side of speech. According to the results of the experiment, the researchers found that both learning formats, traditional and using electronic tools and digital innovations, contributed to the improvement of students' speaking skills. However, a detailed analysis showed that the group that used electronic tools demonstrated a higher level of speaking competence compared to students who were traditionally taught. This indicates that the use of modern technologies in the learning process can have an additional encouraging effect on the development of students' language skills. In particular, the researchers note that students who learnt a foreign language using a digital interface showed greater readiness and confidence in their ability to communicate in English. It is worth noting that additional practice in virtual communication contributes not only to formal language learning but also to the development of communicative competencies, which are an important aspect of foreign language acquisition.

Virtual learning environments created new horizons in foreign language learning by offering comprehensive approaches to language skills acquisition through active interaction and integration of technologies. Researchers note the positive impact of using electronic tools on the development of various aspects of students' language competence. In particular, studies have shown that digital technologies help improve students' communication skills, motivation, and readiness for intercultural communication. This approach to teaching opens up prospects for innovative and effective foreign language learning in the modern world.

Conclusions

The study determined that VR could transform the traditional approach to language learning by providing students with an immersive experience of interacting with language structures. However, there are technical and pedagogical challenges that require an integrated approach. Mobile learning and AR open up new opportunities for education, providing interactivity, visualisation, and personalisation of the learning process. AR can improve the learning of complex concepts and help increase student motivation in language learning. For the effective implementation of technologies such as VR and AR in the educational process, it is important to develop effective pedagogical strategies that consider the peculiarities of language learning and the needs of students.

The study highlights that technologies such as AR and VR significantly improve the effectiveness and engagement of foreign language learning by creating immersive and interactive experiences for students. Virtual laboratories are a promising tool for areas of study that require real laboratory conditions, allowing for research and experimentation in a simulated environment. The integration of the latest technologies into the educational process contributes to the development of students' language and intercultural competencies, making learning more dynamic, interesting, and effective. Virtual labs are becoming a key tool in education, allowing students to interact with complex experiments in a virtual environment. They offer a safe, accessible, and interactive alternative to traditional labs, supporting student flexibility and autonomy. Mixed labs, which combine virtual and traditional methodologies, are considered the optimal solution for deep and integrated learning.

A survey of students studying foreign languages using modern technologies was conducted. The survey results show that virtual laboratories are widely used and highly appreciated by foreign language students. The majority of respondents note the usefulness of this technology in improving their knowledge and understanding of the material. However, there is a certain proportion of students who prefer traditional teaching methods. Students' motivation to study can change under the influence of virtual labs, with both positive aspects (feeling more focused) and possible problems that require additional support and resources. Students indicated that they most often use Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, Babbel, Memrise, Busuu, Lingodeer, BBC Languages and Italki platforms. In general, the respondents' answers confirm the potential of virtual labs as an effective tool for learning foreign languages but also point to the need for further adaptation and support of this technology None.

To maximise its potential. Further studies should focus on the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in a virtual research laboratory in foreign language teaching. None.

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