Reality Checks with Two Commercialized Language Learning Communities: Livemocha and Lang-8

Abstract

Projecting the rapid growth of online language learning community in recent years, more and more people have made use of the self-learning websites to embark on their language learning. However, most of research in the field was conducted quantitatively with the general questions on the questionnaire to investigate the issue on the surface that barely include the actual experience to probe further. Thus, we choose two language learning online platforms, Livemocha and Lang-8 and carry out a qualitative research based on our one-month learning log to determine the efficacy of the two websites. Both websites are established in 2007. Nevertheless, Livemocha enjoys a wider recognition and discussion than Lang-8no matter in researchers or in language learners. We are curious about this phenomenon and we consider Lang-8 is not with that much deficiency. Consequently, we are motivated to exemplify the two websites in a more moderate way and, most importantly, offer suggestions for websites designers from a user and learner’s standpoint. The main theoretical framework adopted for this study is the ecological linguistic perspective that values the affordance that users receive in the overall environment.