Young people around the world are increasingly able to access English language media online for leisure purposes and interact with other users of English. This book examines the extent of these phenomena, their effect on language acquisition and their implications for the teaching of English in the 21st century.

Provides a comprehensive and unique examination of global language learning outside of the formal school setting Authored by a prominent team of international experts in their respective fields, The Handbook of Informal Language Learning is a one-of-a-kind reference work and it is a timely and valuable resource for anyone looking to explore informal language learning outside of a formal education environment. It features a comprehensive collection of cutting edge research areas exploring the cultural and historical cases of informal language learning, along with the growing area of digital language learning, and the future of this relevant field in national development and language education. The Handbook of Informal Language Learning examines informal language learning from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Structured across six sections, chapters cover areas of motivation, linguistics, cognition, and multimodality; digital learning, including virtual contexts, gaming, fanfiction, vlogging, mobile devices, and nonformal programs; and media and live contact, including learning through environmental print, tourism/study abroad. The book also provides studies of informal learning in four national contexts, examines the integration of informal and formal classroom learning, and discusses the future of language learning from different perspectives. Edited by respected researchers of computer-mediated communication and second language learning and teacher education Features contributions by leading international scholars reaching out to a global audience Presents an exciting and progressive selection of chapters in a rapidly expanding field of research and teaching Provides a state-of-the-art collection of the theories, as well as the historical, cultural and international cases relating to informal language learning and its future in a digital age Covers 30 key topics that represent pioneering findings and new research The Handbook of Informal Language Learning is an essential resource for researchers, students, and professionals in the fields of language acquisition, English as a second language, and foreign language education.

In today’s digital era, increasing numbers of youth around the world learn English outside classrooms, frequently with the use of technology. This timely book brings together research and theory on the increasingly common phenomenon of Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) among students of all ages and across a wide range of contexts globally. By examining the positive impact of IDLE on students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities, as well as the unique challenges that result, Lee synthesizes research in one accessible and comprehensive volume in this rapidly developing domain. This book addresses key concepts, including Computer Assisted Language Learning, the impact on standardized assessment, and the role of classroom learning. Lee offers empirically tested activities, pedagogical recommendations, and lesson plans to engage ESL/EFL students. The research overview and practical offerings make this an ideal text for courses in TESOL on online education, language teaching online, digital learning, community and language, and applied linguistics.

This monograph aims to introduce the theme of informal learning. It consists of the theoretical part and the results of research conducted at the Faculty of Education, Palacký University in Olomouc among its master's students – future English teachers and the students of other 3 universities. It attempts to find out how often and how the students use online platforms, applications, websites and social networks in their informal learning and formal education. It describes the differences and similarities between the students' use of online technology for their own supervised and unguided learning and for the purposes of their formal studies. Comparisons in the use of online technology are made with regards to the students' gender and form of studies. The third part consists of the qualitative part of research focused on how future teachers of English have been approaching online technologies throughout their lives, primarily for the sake of informal education. In semi-structured interviews, teacher candidates who study primary and lower-secondary education at the Faculty of Education of Palacký University in Olomouc shared their history of using online applications and web pages from their young school age up to the present time. Differences and similarities between the two groups of students are explored, as well as the potential influence of their specific histories with online technologies on how they plan to utilize these in their future careers.

Young people around the world are increasingly able to access English language media online for leisure purposes and interact with other users of English. This book examines the extent of these phenomena, their effect on language acquisition and their implications for the teaching of English in the 21st century.

“Theoretically wise and practically powerful, this book is about how to take full advantage of advances in technology and the learner autonomy they afford, rather than simply adapt to or deny them. It issues a clarion call to language educators and administrators interested in building on recent advances in language learning via the informal avenues of digital communications.” --Mark Dressman, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, US, Professor and Chair of English at Khalifa University, UAE “This important and original book challenges us to rethink the design and delivery of the language learning opportunities universities provide for their students. Drawing on Complex Dynamic Systems Theory, Self-Determination Theory and her own empirical explorations of informal online language learning, Denyze Toffoli paints a portrait of today’s university language learner that is novel, unexpected and urgent.” --David Little, Fellow and Associate Professor Emeritus at Trinity College, Ireland This book takes a fresh look at both context and the language learner in an attempt to shed light on the holistic and ever-changing system of the contemporary L2 speaker’s language development. Drawing on complex dynamic systems theory as a means to more fully understand the holistic nature of contemporary language learning, the author attempts to bridge the longstanding gap between formal language provision in Higher Education institutions, and more informal language acquisition achieved through activities such as listening to music, watching films and television, and playing games. Based on a theoretical understanding of the interplay between these contexts, contents and practices, the author offers suggestions concerning the shape of language centres in higher education and the role of teachers in readying the contemporary language learner for autonomous lifelong and lifewide language development. This book will be of particular interest to language teachers, teacher trainers, and higher education administrators.