PROSPECTS OF UTILIZING VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) TECHNOLOGIES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS: A PEDAGOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The integration of Virtual Reality (VR) into the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) curriculum represents a significant leap from traditional pedagogical methods to immersive, experiential learning. This paper explores the prospects of VR technologies in enhancing linguistic competence, cultural awareness, and student engagement. By creating high-fidelity, simulated environments, VR provides learners with opportunities for "situated learning" that is often unattainable in conventional classrooms. The study discusses the cognitive benefits of immersion, such as the reduction of foreign language anxiety and the acceleration of vocabulary acquisition through spatial memory. Furthermore, the paper outlines the challenges of implementation, including hardware costs and pedagogical readiness, while proposing a framework for sustainable VR integration in higher education.