The immersive and real-life-like interactive components in virtual reality (VR) platforms are drawing the attention of educators and researchers more recently towards implementation in language classrooms. Research on the VR platform ImmerseMe suggests benefits including language acquisition of word order structure, lexicon-grammar, spelling, and content (Casañ-Pitarch & Gong, 2021) as well as development of communication skills. However, the implementation of technological applications has not been easy for language teachers, accepting that there is a struggle to introduce and adjust activities or other ICT tools to curricula, and students’ needs (Soto et al., 2020). Hence this study aims to understand teachers’ beliefs, perceptions, and experiences related to the incorporation of ImmerseMe in enhancing students’ target language (TL) practice and development. 

In investigating how teachers can support the development of language learning on ImmerseMe, the study adopted a systematic, two-phased research method that gathered data combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study surveyed 14 experienced foreign/ second language teachers of ImmerseMe in phase I and conducted in-depth interviews in phase II to perceive the why, what, and how of ImmerseMe incorporation within a set curriculum. 

Preliminary findings from phase I reveal that in addition to improving communication (86%), confidence in language use outside of the classroom (87%), ImmerseMe can help students create opportunities to use the language on their own (71.4%) and outside of the learned context (50%). Some identified potentials include more practice outside of class, promoting exposure to authentic TL use, and learners’ self-assessment in monitoring language progress. Using ImmerseMe in tandem with available classroom resources, like, mini whiteboards can alleviate limitations of promoting individual over collaborative practices (57%), and/ or limiting the creative use of the TL (36%). Suggestions for improving specific aspects of the platform, teacher training in creative use of ImmerseMe have also been made.