Nam Center Colloquium Series | Beyond the Page and Across Realities: Rethinking Korean Language Learning with virtual reality and augmented reality in the Digital Age

Attend in person or via Zoom: https://myumi.ch/2r4zD

Recent years have witnessed rapid growth in the application of immersive technologies—particularly virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)—to foreign language education. Research demonstrates that VR environments provide unique affordances for developing intercultural competence by situating learners in authentic, interactive contexts where they can negotiate meaning and engage with diverse perspectives. At the same time, AR has been shown to enhance reading comprehension and engagement by embedding textual and cultural content into interactive, real-world environments. These emerging tools are reshaping how learners experience language and culture, moving beyond traditional classroom boundaries to create embodied, situated forms of learning.

This talk will first review current trends in VR and AR research in applied linguistics and Korean language education, highlighting empirical findings. Dr. Song will then discuss classroom applications, including both opportunities and challenges for implementation. Finally, she will share her own research findings, which investigate the role of VR in fostering intercultural competence and the effects of AR-based interactive Korean reading activities on comprehension and engagement. By synthesizing these strands of research, the presentation will consider how immersive technologies can inform the future of Korean language learning and teaching.

Jayoung Song is Assistant Professor of Korean and Applied Linguistics in the Department of Asian Studies at Pennsylvania State University, USA. Her research focuses on second language acquisition, technology-enhanced language learning, and intercultural competence. She has led funded projects on augmented reality–based reading, immersive learning through virtual reality, and the development of intercultural competence, supported by the Academy of Korean Studies and the U.S. Department of Education. Her work has been published in journals such as Language Learning & Technology, Education and Information Technologies, ReCALL, and Applied Linguistics Review. Her current work brings together empirical research and classroom practice to explore how AR and VR can transform the future of Korean language education.

If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at ncks.info@umich.edu. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.