Tecnologie, autonomia e internazionalizzazione. L’italiano L2 di cinesi / Technology, Self-Government and Internationalization: Italian as a Second Language for Chinese Students

Abstract

The development of autonomy in language learning is a strategic element in the enhancement of the internationalisation process of universities. In the Web 2.0 society the virtual spaces of e-learning provide support for, and empowerment of, autonomous learning traditionally carried out individually in Self-Access Language Centres. Autonomous language learning is now enriched by cooperative activities in virtual communities of learning through forums, wikis and chats without limits either of space or of time. The present paper takes a critical look at an L2 autonomous learning pathway undertaken online by Chinese exchange students in a “virtual self-access”. This learning model proved to be engaging and motivating and facilitated the students’ first approach to autonomous learning.