Affiliation:
1. University of Toronto, Canada
Abstract
The advancement of digital technologies allows us to communicate in plurilingual contexts without learning additional languages. This makes the author wonder what learning languages means in today's technologically advanced environment. Therefore, this chapter explores the meaning of learning languages and taking language courses from multiple theoretical perspectives, including ecology, digital nature, agency and emotions in the action-oriented approach, and instructed second language acquisition. Using the concept of digital nature, the chapter argues that technology has provided us with freedom from the pressure to memorize and process a great deal of information owing to “our” externally existing knowledge (i.e., the internet) and magical tools such as real-time translation apps. The chapter discusses how this freedom allows us to exert our agencies, utilize noise for creativity and innovation, and take risks to learn languages through the fine-tuned delicate art of work, or teaching, valued in digital nature.