Exploring the Dialectics of Learner Agency through their Activity in Virtual Exchange: A Case-Study
Various studies in SLA suggest that while learner agency is fundamental to success, it is a complex phenomenon. While some scholars relate agency to power, control, and mastery, others such as Rainio and Hilppö (2017) highlight some inherent contradictions in educational contexts, viewing agency as...
Tallennettuna:
| Julkaisussa: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/alsic, |
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| Päätekijät: | , , , , , , , |
| Aineistotyyppi: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Kieli: | Anglais |
| Julkaistu: |
Alsic
2026
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| Aiheet: | |
| Linkit: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Yhteenveto: | Various studies in SLA suggest that while learner agency is fundamental to success, it is a complex phenomenon. While some scholars relate agency to power, control, and mastery, others such as Rainio and Hilppö (2017) highlight some inherent contradictions in educational contexts, viewing agency as both mastery and submission, control and dependence, enacted and imagined. Agency can also be seen as emerging from environmental affordances or constraints and can be transformative not only for individuals but also their surroundings. Technology-mediated virtual exchange (VE) for language learning is said to encourage student-centred semi-immersive activities (O’Dowd, 2018) that support the development of learner agency. This article explores how agency emerges in response to the educational design and environmental constraints of a given VE setting for L2 learning. Using a case study methodology and the dialectical framework of agency proposed by Rainio and Hilppö (2017), it investigates the development of agency of three Irish students who took part in two Franco-Irish VE projects in 2022-2023. The students’ semi-structured interviews were used to triangulate the emerging agentive actions that were identified in online interactions. It was found that learners navigate the dialectical poles of agency in various ways within the VE environment’s affordances, constraints and tensions. |
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