Provides a comprehensive and unique examination of global language learning outside of the formal school setting Authored by a prominent team of international experts in their respective fields, The Handbook of Informal Language Learning is a one-of-a-kind reference work and it is a timely and valuable resource for anyone looking to explore informal language learning outside of a formal education environment. It features a comprehensive collection of cutting edge research areas exploring the cultural and historical cases of informal language learning, along with the growing area of digital language learning, and the future of this relevant field in national development and language education. The Handbook of Informal Language Learning examines informal language learning from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Structured across six sections, chapters cover areas of motivation, linguistics, cognition, and multimodality; digital learning, including virtual contexts, gaming, fanfiction, vlogging, mobile devices, and nonformal programs; and media and live contact, including learning through environmental print, tourism/study abroad. The book also provides studies of informal learning in four national contexts, examines the integration of informal and formal classroom learning, and discusses the future of language learning from different perspectives. Edited by respected researchers of computer-mediated communication and second language learning and teacher education Features contributions by leading international scholars reaching out to a global audience Presents an exciting and progressive selection of chapters in a rapidly expanding field of research and teaching Provides a state-of-the-art collection of the theories, as well as the historical, cultural and international cases relating to informal language learning and its future in a digital age Covers 30 key topics that represent pioneering findings and new research The Handbook of Informal Language Learning is an essential resource for researchers, students, and professionals in the fields of language acquisition, English as a second language, and foreign language education.

Provides a comprehensive and unique examination of global language learning outside of the formal school setting Authored by a prominent team of international experts in their respective fields, The Handbook of Informal Language Learning is a one-of-a-kind reference work and it is a timely and valuable resource for anyone looking to explore informal language learning outside of a formal education environment. It features a comprehensive collection of cutting edge research areas exploring the cultural and historical cases of informal language learning, along with the growing area of digital language learning, and the future of this relevant field in national development and language education. The Handbook of Informal Language Learning examines informal language learning from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Structured across six sections, chapters cover areas of motivation, linguistics, cognition, and multimodality; digital learning, including virtual contexts, gaming, fanfiction, vlogging, mobile devices, and nonformal programs; and media and live contact, including learning through environmental print, tourism/study abroad. The book also provides studies of informal learning in four national contexts, examines the integration of informal and formal classroom learning, and discusses the future of language learning from different perspectives. Edited by respected researchers of computer-mediated communication and second language learning and teacher education Features contributions by leading international scholars reaching out to a global audience Presents an exciting and progressive selection of chapters in a rapidly expanding field of research and teaching Provides a state-of-the-art collection of the theories, as well as the historical, cultural and international cases relating to informal language learning and its future in a digital age Covers 30 key topics that represent pioneering findings and new research The Handbook of Informal Language Learning is an essential resource for researchers, students, and professionals in the fields of language acquisition, English as a second language, and foreign language education.

The study of informal involvement with additional languages has recently emerged as a dynamic research field in SLA. With the rapid development and spread of internet-based technologies, contact with foreign languages outside the classroom has become commonplace. While this can take multiple forms, online contents are a major driving force because they present learners with unprecedented opportunities for exposure to and use of target languages regardless of their physical location. Research from diverse geographical, educational and socio-economic contexts bring a rich variety of perspectives to this book. It explores these phenomena via a range of theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, focusing particularly on individual differences and language development. The volume proposes that teachers in formal learning settings should seek to support and facilitate the development of these identities and practices, and it indicates means they can adopt to best do so.

In today’s digital era, increasing numbers of youth around the world learn English outside classrooms, frequently with the use of technology. This timely book brings together research and theory on the increasingly common phenomenon of Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) among students of all ages and across a wide range of contexts globally. By examining the positive impact of IDLE on students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities, as well as the unique challenges that result, Lee synthesizes research in one accessible and comprehensive volume in this rapidly developing domain. This book addresses key concepts, including Computer Assisted Language Learning, the impact on standardized assessment, and the role of classroom learning. Lee offers empirically tested activities, pedagogical recommendations, and lesson plans to engage ESL/EFL students. The research overview and practical offerings make this an ideal text for courses in TESOL on online education, language teaching online, digital learning, community and language, and applied linguistics.

This book addresses increasingly diverse language learning trajectories in a modern, globalized world, specifically outside of formal classroom situations and with respect to second and additional language practices. This includes, but is not restricted to, intersections of formal and informal learning, computer-mediated contexts as well as family contexts and language learning in multilingual contexts. The book provides a current and specifically anthropological view on the second and additional language acquisition in non-school settings through various studies. It is unique in its focus and scope and is relevant to anthropologists and linguists, who are interested in the intersection of language and culture.

In today’s modernized world, digital technology has taken the forefront in all aspects of society, including education. Students have access to numerous electronic devices, which has made online learning materials highly accessible. These technological impacts have blurred the distinction between formal and informal language learning methods. Informally learned English has lost proficiency when assessing student performance. Sizable research is necessary to study and understand the informal methods of language learning using technology. Enhancements and Limitations to ICT-Based Informal Language Learning: Emerging Research and Opportunities is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the implementation of technological opportunities within informal language teaching methods along with the drawbacks that limit its efficiency. While highlighting topics such as acculturation, student perception, and autonomous applications, this publication explores how learners perform ICT-based activities beyond the classroom and assesses the linguistic gains generated by informal ICT uses. This book is ideally designed for teachers, IT consultants, educational software developers, researchers, policymakers, and academic professionals seeking current research on technological techniques within second language learning and teaching.

This edited book collects papers with perspectives from scholars and practitioners in Asia, Australia, and Europe to reveal the pros and cons, chances and challenges, constraints, and potential risks that educators and learners are facing as the new paradigm for communication and learning takes place, with a view to shedding light on the global education climate in the midst of the pandemic. Since the onset of the global pandemic, education has been revolutionized in almost every aspect. The emergency precautionary measures which were once supposed to be temporary school arrangements only have now become the new normal, reshaping our understanding of learning environments, redefining the pedagogic standards in terms of teaching practices, learning designs, teacher–student interaction, feedback, and assessment. Online teaching, distanced learning, flipped classrooms, and self-paced e-learning have all played an increasingly vital role in shaping a new education culture in various education settings, affecting school management, teachers, students, and parents alike. While ICT in education, alongside new media, has provided ample benefits and convenience for educators and students, communication and virtual lessons conducted in the socially distanced classroom appear to have brought issues such as the digital divide, e-mental health, insufficient technical support, inefficient classroom management, reduced interaction between teachers and students, not to mention the growing concerns over privacy and security.

Understanding Bilingualism, Bilinguality, and Bilingual Education in an Era of Globalization is written by Dr. Ai-Ling Wang, and provides a comprehensive guide for scholars seeking to expand their knowledge of bilingualism and its impact in the modern world. The book is divided into three parts, with the first part focusing on the theoretical background and definitions of bilingualism, bilinguality, and bilingual education. The second part examines bilinguality from cognitive, neuro-linguistic, socio-linguistic, and psycho-linguistic perspectives, exploring how bilingual speakers benefit from their cognitive development and what areas of cognitive advantage bilingual speakers enjoy. The final part of the book discusses bilingual education and how bilinguals choose a particular language depending on the situation, interlocutors, topic, and personal preference and proficiency. Dr. Wang emphasizes that bilingualism is not limited to speaking two languages, and multilingual and multicultural aspects must also be considered. Throughout the book, the author explores various aspects of bilingualism, including its formation, benefits, and challenges, and discusses whether bilinguals are provided with equal opportunities to schooling and whether bilingual programs actually help students with mainstream language while maintaining their home language. Overall, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of bilingualism and its impact in the era of globalization.

This book provides a timely and valuable resource to explore second language vocabulary learning outside the formal language learning classroom. Rapidly evolving technology and the increasing impact of the global village have resulted in dramatic changes to and increased occasions for second language vocabulary learning. This book offers new and valuable insights into the radically different opportunities both the physical and digital wild provide for language learners to increase their vocabulary knowledge. Practical advice is also given on how second language teachers can integrate vocabulary learning in the wild into their formal classroom instruction. This collection of cutting-edge studies by international experts working within the fields of second language teaching and learning, second language acquisition, applied linguistics, informal language learning, and technology enhanced learning offers an essential resource for language teachers and researchers. The internet is a powerful source of incidental language learning, but this is only part of language learning in the wild. This excellent book shows the range of opportunities available for learning another language outside the classroom in this much neglected research area. --Paul Nation, Emeritus Professor, Victoria University of Wellington