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Reimagining Language Learning in Higher Education: Key-Roles for Technology

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Learning with Technologies and Technologies in Learning

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 456))

Abstract

The COVID-19 emergency lockdown in 2020 presented an unprecedented challenge that brought technology to the foreground. This chapter discusses the role of technology in language learning at higher education in the aftermath of the abrupt shift to emergency remote teaching due to the pandemic crisis. The chapter briefly introduces the area of language learning, including current trends in pedagogical approaches, focus points and learning objectives as well as the state of the art in computer-assisted language learning. Thereafter, three different but complementary strands for digital tools in language learning at higher education are discussed: digital tools as communication channels, as channels for delivering instruction and as ‘cognitive partners’. We argue that language education can advance the use of technologies in education in general and the acquisition of twenty-first century skills by higher education students, but we also discuss the need of redefining what it means to be a proficient speaker of a language in light of the numerous tools available.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our colleague Francesco Caviglia for our online discussions and for sharing with us his insightful ideas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arts and Humanities Department, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poble Nou, 256, 08018, Barcelona, Spain

    Christine Appel

  2. School of Communication and Culture, Aarhus University, Nobelparken, Bygning 1481, kontor 640, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4, Aarhus C, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark

    Susana S. Fernández

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  1. Christine Appel
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Correspondence to Susana S. Fernández .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. CTI Global, Frankfurt, Germany

    Michael E. Auer

  2. Faculty of Informatics and Computer Science, The British University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt

    Andreas Pester

  3. College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    Dominik May

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Appel, C., Fernández, S.S. (2022). Reimagining Language Learning in Higher Education: Key-Roles for Technology. In: Auer, M.E., Pester, A., May, D. (eds) Learning with Technologies and Technologies in Learning. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 456. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04286-7_28

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