Copyright American TESOL Institute 2011 Page 1

AR, or Augmented Reality is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment

whose elements are augmented by virtual computer-generated sensory input, such as sound or

graphics. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality in which a view of reality is

modified by a computer. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of

reality.

There are two commonly accepted definitions of Augmented Reality today. One was given by Ronald

Azuma in 1997. Azuma's definition says that Augmented Reality

1. combines real and virtual

2. is interactive in real time

3. is registered in 3D

Unlike Virtual Reality (VR) that aims at replacing the perception of the world with an artificial one,

Augmented Reality (AR) has the goal of enhancing a person's perception of the surrounding world. Being

partly virtual and real, the new interface technology of AR can revolutionize education, specially second

language learning.

Augmented reality is an environment that includes both virtual reality and actual-world elements. For

instance, an AR user might wear translucent goggles, that identify and pronounce objects in both their

native and target language. The user could see the real world, as well as computer-generated images

projected on top of that world. An augmented reality environment then, would include elements of the

real world and the virtual world simultaneously, and would be interactive in real time.

Augmented reality offers an innovative learning process by merging digital learning material with

physical space. This technology enables students to see different objects being labeled in the second

language vocabulary, and it converts the traditional classroom environment into an interactive 3d world.

A successful language acquisition method can be implemented by integrating traditional teaching

techniques such as Art/Music, Direct Based/Communicative, Vocabulary or Rassias Method with

Augmented reality.

Copyright American TESOL Institute 2011 Page 2

A new method of teaching languages can be adapted by the mixture of both the old teaching techniques

and latest technology such as augmented reality. Applying the Augmented reality technology to learning

a second language, we can enhance the learning process by putting things into a innovative and

attractive environment.