Il contributo didattico delle tecnologie digitali all’acquisizione delle lingue straniere

This paper aims to show the theory-practice-evaluation links in the use of digital technologies in L2 learning. Three digital L2 learning activities utilized in intermediate Japanese L2 class (n = 25) at the University of Western Sydney, Australia, are explained from a second language acquisition perspective. These involve social networking systems, e-tandem learning using chat, and e-movie production. Pedagogical objectives are aligned with these digital activities. I will then present different kinds of evaluation of these activities, i.e., i) from a linguistic environment viewpoint based on Interactionist Approach and ii) from a language development standpoint based on Processability Theory. Students chat transcripts from e-tandem learning were utilized to analyse linguistic environment and language development. The analysis indicated that digital capabilities can be used to enhance interaction and negotiation of meaning, both crucial for language development. Most students showed morphological and syntactic development between the first chat session and the third, indicating that language learning happens beyond the classroom thanks to digital technologies. These justify monitoring of digital pedagogical activities to ensure that they align with objectives promoting overall linguistic development, and that linguistic development itself is evaluated, e.g. through a reliable developmental measure such as PT.