Innovation in Language Learning

Pragmatic competence is one of the main components of communicative ability in a second language. Recently, a great deal of research has been done regarding the acquisition and teaching of pragmatics of Italian as a foreign language (Nuzzo & Gauci 2012, Santoro & Vedder 2016). However, resources and teaching materials dealing with this aspect of the Italian language are still very scarce. This article describes the experiences in creating an Italian online language course, focusing on the tools available through the Moodle e-learning platform, selected to enhance the learning of this ability in language learners. Finally, the study points out some disadvantages of Moodle and indicates directions for future development allowing a more efficient language teaching online.

Keywords: online language learning, interactive language learning, intercultural pragmatic competence, Italian as a Foreign Language.

References:
[1] Coppola, Daria (2011), Tecniche d'interazione tra pari, in presenza e on line, per l'apprendimento delle lingue e lo scambio interculturale, in P. Nicolini (a cura di), Le dimensioni sociali nell'apprendimento e nella formazione. Il ruolo dell'interazione tra pari, Parma, Edizioni Junio, pp. 80-109.
[2] González-Lloret, Marta (2008), Computer-mediated Learning of L2 Pragmatics, in E. Alcón Soler & A. Martínez-Flor (eds.), Investigating Pragmatics in Foreign Language Learning, Teaching and testing, Bristol, Multilingual Matters, pp. 114-132.
[3] Liaw, M. (2006), E-learning and the development of intercultural competence, in “Language Learning & Technology” 10: 49-64.
[4] Martínez-Flor, Alicia & Fukuya, Yoshinori J. (2005), The Effects of Instructions on Learners’ Production of Appropriate and Accurate Suggestions, in “System” 33: 463-80.
[5] Nuzzo, Elena & Gauci, Phyllisienne (2012), Insegnare la pragmatica in italiano L2. Recenti ricerche nella prospettiva della teoria degli atti linguistici, Roma, Carocci.
[6] Nuzzo, Elena, Ferrari, Stefania & Zanoni, Greta (2016), Sviluppare le competenze pragmatiche in L2 in rete: Problemi teorici e soluzioni pratiche nella progettazione dell’ambiente multimediale LIRA, in C. Cervini (a cura di), Interdisciplinarità e apprendimento linguistici nei nuovi contesti formativi. L’apprendente di lingue tra tradizione e innovazione, Bologna, Quaderni CESLIC. Dip. LILEC, pp. 5-20.
[7] Santoro, Eloisabetta & Vedder, Ineke (2016), Pragmatica e interculturalità in italiano lingua seconda, Firenze, Franco Cesati.
[8] Sykes, Julie M. (2017), Technologies for Teaching and Learning Intercultural Competence and Interlanguage Pragmatics, in C. A. Chapelle & S. Sauro (eds.), The Handbook of Technology and Second Language Teaching and Learning, Oxford: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 118-33.
[9] Walker, Talia (2017), Politeness norms: a pilot study on the accomplishment of apologies by learners of Italian, in “E-JounrALL”, 4(2): 28-48.
[10] Whitworth, Kathleen F. (2009), The discussion forum as a locus for developing L2 pragmatic awareness, in L. B. Abraham & L. Williams (eds.), Electronic discourse in language learning and language teaching, Amsterdam: John Benjamins, pp. 291-317.