Comparing immersive Virtual Reality to mobile applications in foreign language learning in higher education: a quasi-experiment

Virtual Reality applications are predicted to create a paradigm shift in education, but there is little empirical evidence of their educational value. affordances support language learning have not yet been realized. This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect application on foreign and compared engagement, engrossment, immersion between two versions (Virtual mobile). Twenty experimental group undergraduate students used head-mounted display twenty control mobile for Italian as language. Data sources included: (a) 10 open-ended questions pre-test post-test measuring vocabulary skills, (b) validated questionnaire with 21 seven-point Likert scale items immersion. Findings revealed statistically significant difference students’ performance when scores were compared. Engagement, received relatively high by participants. The did find conditions. provides preliminary data indicating that can be both effective engaging learning, even though they found superior applications.