Language Learning in the Metaverse: Research Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges

The metaverse is an emerging technology that provides an immersive virtual environment for individuals to interact both with each other and with digital objects. This chapter discusses the following topics related to the metaverse and language learning. First, it describes the metaverse and explores how virtual reality can enhance student engagement, motivation, and cognitive development. Second, it explores research trends in language learning in the metaverse by discussing three systematic reviews and meta-analyses about the utilization of extended reality (XR) for language learning. Third, it suggests the direction for future research on XR for language learning. Fourth, it addresses the challenges that researchers and educators should consider when using the metaverse in language learning, including the classroom ecosystem, accessibility, negative effects, and pedagogical aims. In summary, the aim was to provide insights into the opportunities and challenges when using the metaverse for language education and to suggest future research trends.