Innovation in Language Learning

Digital media are used in all areas of life and children are used to handle all kinds of devices easily. Although there are risks and concerns, like distractions and addictions, advantages of these media are obvious: direct two-way communication, interaction and multiple ways of dealing with information and knowledge. This, as well as gamification elements may activate children's intrinsic motivation to learn. The focus of my doctoral research project is on studying how digital media can play a role in gaining intercultural and second language skills, because these competencies are becoming more important in times of globalization. With this project I would like to contribute to the agenda on researching about the preparation of children for those actual and upcoming challenges.
Different sorts of multimedia are already used in the classrooms but many learners stay passive and have no possibility to learn and discover on their own. Today, however, there is a huge variety of Electronic Media and dealing with a smartphone or a tablet seems to be taken for granted for most children. But why do we not use all these possibilities more intensively in a positive way, when it is about encouraging children’s enthusiasm for learning?
Learner’s differ very much from each other regarding their needs, motivations and learning styles. With digital media we have the chance to offer each learner an appropriate way to fulfill their needs. Moreover, the foreign language and intercultural skills of youths can profit from connecting with far-away living native speakers, other learners and language teachers. This requires not only a difference in the technical infrastructure of schools but also a trust in autonomous work of individuals as well as a change in the student-teacher and the student-student relationship.
Psychological aspects also play an important role in foreign language learning, since many students feel embarrassment or even anxiety when speaking, which negatively effects their language speaking abilities. In this presentation I will be analyzing tools and activities that may have a role in finding out how we can use digital media to overcome these barriers.

Keywords: Intercultural communication, psychological language learning barriers, language exchange;