A study of learner perception of an English speaking class using the Metaverse platform Gather.town

Abstract

With recent developments in Metaverse technology, the topic of integrating Metaverse platforms into language classrooms has received increasing attention due to its enormous potential for language learning. This study aims to adopt one of the most popular Metaverse platforms, Gather.town, for EFL speaking, and to investigate learners' perceptions of their learning experiences. Specifically, the study investigated how college EFL learners perceived the use of this Metaverse platform for their English speaking. A total of 23 college EFL students participated in this study, engaging in various speaking activities offered in the Metaverse platform throughout the semester. To collect data, the survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted. The study results indicated that the participants perceived the interaction opportunities in the Metaverse platform positively overall. They thought this platform was useful for their learning, and they perceived that their engagement in speaking activities had enhanced and their confidence in speaking had improved. The affordance of using the Metaverse platform was its potential to create a more anxiety-free and comfortable learning environment for learners. Results suggest that Gather.town has potential to develop learners' speaking proficiency in the EFL classroom due to its learner-centered design advantages and ease of free communication among learners.