The Impact of Computer-Mediated Communication Environments on Foreign Language Learning: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on the implementation of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in language learning. This review aims at understanding how CMC environments have been implemented to foster language learning. The review draws on 40 recent research articles selected form 10 peer-reviewed journals, 2 book chapters and one conference proceeding. This review investigates the studies that have dealt with the CMC environments used for language learning. It reviews the studies that have explored the benefits of CMC in language learning; factors affecting the use of CMC in language learning, and current CMC environments used for language learning (such as emails, wikis, YouTube, Facebook). Only peer-reviewed articles have been selected. The review discusses the findings of these studies and suggests guidelines for future research studies in this area. It concluded that further studies are necessary to investigate how language teachers can integrate CMC environments and organize suitable tasks. Also, further studies are necessary to determine the principles that are required to implement CMC in language learning.