Innovation in Language Learning

This presentation highlights the design and implementation of Virtual Reality (VR) teaching materials in a 12-week pre-university English language program in Japan. The program aims to support the smooth transition from high school to university and emphasizes the significance of English within the context of an information systems university. The transition from school to university often poses challenges for students, as they may be unprepared for the demands and responsibilities of higher education. To address this, the program familiarizes incoming students with university-level expectations and equips them with relevant skills and strategies, ensuring a productive learning experience at the university. The design of the program is based on the Student Integration Model (SIM), which outlines three key transitional stages students go through when entering university: separation (disassociating from past communities), transition (adopting new behavior patterns), and incorporation (developing a renewed sense of connectedness). To cater to students' interests, curiosity, and English communication abilities, VR learning materials were created. These materials not only engage students but also highlight the university as a center of innovative teaching pedagogy. At the start of the course, 103 students registered, and throughout its duration, they accessed the course materials a total of 47,507 times, contributing actively with 8,711 posts. The three faculty members responsible for the course accessed the materials 4,470 times and contributed with 4,510 posts. On average, students made a written or spoken contribution to the course once every 5.453 visits, while the faculty members contributed once every 0.991 visits. This presentation provides an opportunity to explore the VR course materials, delve into the rationale behind their design and implementation, and present the findings from a post-course survey conducted with the students. By showcasing the outcomes of this innovative approach, we can gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of VR in enhancing the pre-university education experience and facilitating a seamless transition to university life.