Abstract:
Online language education is now witnessing unprecedented development by virtue of the advanced information and communication technology. A host of confusing terminologies related to online learning exist in various academic contexts. In this paper, an examination of the different terminologies finds that the Internet or network accessibility is one of the common characteristics of these terminologies. Not only does online learning include learning and teaching through the internet as a tool but also supports knowledge acquisition during learning process and experience. The forms of online language learning are classified in two ways in this paper. One is based on the configuration of online delivery, and the other one is based on the extent of learners’ participation. Although the degree of the integration of online delivery and the extent of learners’ participation vary within each classification, all the forms of online learning aim to boost learners’ participation and interaction beyond the traditional boundaries of language learning. A re-examination of the definitions and forms of online language education can contribute to the clarification of the terms and provide insight into the future research on online learning, especially for language learning.