The effect of synchronous computer mediated communication on language acquisition

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Two studies were conducted. Hughes (2022) reviewed 39 studies on text-based synchronous computer-mediated communication (TSCMC) in second language acquisition (SLA) over the past decade. It found a positive effect of TSCMC on SLA, but some features of interaction hypothesized to promote language acquisition were lacking in learner-learner dialogues. Hughes (2023) experimentally compared TSCMC with non-communicative computer-mediated language learning and found that, while both groups achieved statistically equivalent gains, the TSCMC group achieved those gains with significantly less output, indicating an advantage in learning efficiency. In conclusion, TSCMC has a significant positive effect on SLA, but the mechanism behind that effect requires further investigation.