LANGUAGE FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES IN THE TELETANDEM ENVIRONMENT, BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE

Abstract

Teletandem (TT) is as a computer assisted language learning environmentin which two students communicate in order to learneach other’s native language. In the case of a program focused onLanguage for Specifi c Purposes (LSP), TT offers the possibility ofputting into contact two people with interests in the same scientific or professional areas, thus confi guring a symmetrical relationshipwhich allows mutual help in specialistic areas where accessto traditional language teaching may be problematic. In fact, thecompetence of teachers does not necessarily extend to the highlyspecialized fi elds of knowledge mastered by these learners. TT canprovide an environment where it is possible to overcome the gapbetween meaning (which the learner can verbalize in his/her nativelanguage) and the linguistic forms required for expression in thetarget language. The aim of this paper is to present the strengthsof TT for LSP and to discuss its critical issues.

Keywords

• apprendimento di microlingue, Teletandem, autonomia dell’apprendente, counseling, approccio task-based