In this section, you’ll find practical reviews of Virtual Reality (VR) applications and tools that can be used in English language teaching. Each review highlights how the tool works, what it offers for language learning, and the main advantages and limitations, helping teachers choose the right resources for their classroom. Here are some popular VR apps and platforms currently used in language education:
A language learning app that immerses learners in everyday conversations, such as ordering food or booking a hotel. Uses immersive, gamified scenarios and immediate feedback to support vocabulary and speaking practice (Campbell, 2023). Best For ELT due to the following features: practicing situational dialogues (e.g., shopping, travel, daily routines); enhancing learners’ confidence in speaking English in low-stakes, virtual environments; upplementing classroom instruction with individual practice; offering autonomous learning opportunities for shy or hesitant speakers.
Pros
Ready-made, language-focused VR lessons designed for beginners and intermediate learners.
Contextualized learning: students practice English in real-world scenarios.
Speech recognition technology provides immediate feedback on pronunciation.
Gamified progression with rewards keeps learners motivated.
Accessible on Oculus/Meta Quest and compatible mobile devices.
Cons
Limited adaptability for advanced learners or highly specialized teaching goals.
Teacher control and customization options are minimal.
Conversations with AI characters may feel repetitive after extended use.
Requires VR headsets for the full immersive experience (though Mondly AR/mobile offers alternatives).
Cost & Accessibility
Mondly VR is available via a subscription model (often bundled with Mondly Premium) and requires a VR headset. For classrooms with limited resources, Mondly also offers an AR (augmented reality) version and a standard mobile app, which can be used alongside or instead of VR.
A social VR platform for language learning offering customizable lessons, real-time interaction, and avatar-based speaking practice (Campbell, 2023; Immerse Learning, 2025).
Supported by a meta-analysis showing VR affords medium to large gains in linguistic and affective learning (e.g., speaking, listening) (Immerse, 2025).
Japanese EFL learners reported reduced anxiety and increased confidence when practicing in Immerse using avatars and VR environments (Satake et al., 2023; Immerse Research, 2025)
Pros
Strong evidence of improved speaking fluency and confidence, including significant test-score gains and reduced language anxiety.
Rich immersive contexts enabling authentic language use and collaboration.
Available via both VR headset and computer, increasing accessibility.
Cons
Technical limitations such as unstable connectivity or platform access can impact learning flow.
Some learning environments may require smaller class sizes or teacher guidance to maximize benefits.
Best For ELT: Conversation and fluency drills, especially for building confidence in speaking. Vocabulary acquisition in context-rich settings. Group collaboration, peer interaction, and project-based tasks.
Cost & Accessibility
Depending on the provider, it could require subscription and compatible devices, but alternative computer access expands applicability in diverse classroom settings.
This is a versatile metaverse platform that enables teachers to design immersive 3D learning environments accessible on VR headsets, desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. Its cross-platform nature makes it an inclusive option for classrooms where not every learner has access to VR hardware.
Pros: Easy setup with ready-to-use templates (no coding required). Students can join via web or mobile—VR not mandatory. Interactive tools: whiteboards, 3D objects, and multimedia sharing. Strong sense of social presence with avatars and spatial audio. Useful for role-play, virtual field trips, and collaborative projects.
Cons: Requires a stable internet connection for smooth interaction. Some learners may need guidance navigating virtual spaces. Classroom management can be challenging in open, exploratory environments.
Best For ELT
Creating role-play scenarios (e.g., cafés, shops, airports).
Virtual cultural experiences and storytelling tasks.
Group projects like mind maps, storyboards, or vocabulary collages.
Informal English conversation spaces for peer-to-peer practice.
Cost & Accessibility
Spatial.io offers a free version with essential features and affordable paid plans for advanced options, making it a low-cost solution compared to many VR apps.
This a playful VR and desktop language learning platform that helps beginners build vocabulary through immersive interaction and engaging gameplay. The world starts in grayscale and gradually regains color as learners progress, offering strong visual motivation for progress. It includes over 1,000 words and phrases across a variety of languages, with speech recognition built in via conversations with 16 NPCs. The platform also supports both VR and desktop access.
Pros
Motivational Visual Feedback: The world visibly transforms from dull to vibrant as users learn—a highly engaging reward system.
Pedagogical Design: Created by Dr. Jack Ratcliffe, whose PhD focused on immersive tech and cognition, making the platform research-informed.
Spaced Repetition & Progress Tracking: Includes an SRS (spaced-repetition) system and allows teachers to monitor learners’ strengths and areas for intervention.
Flexible Access: Available on Meta Quest headsets, Steam VR, and desktop (Windows/macOS), with seamless progress syncing across devices.
Wide Language Options: Supports many languages including Japanese, Spanish (MX and ES), French, Italian, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Ukrainian, Russian, Greek, Egyptian Arabic—and English for learning other languages.
Active Development & Community: Frequent free updates and a vibrant Discord community (around 10,000 members) keep the platform fresh and responsive to feedback.
Beginner-Focused Content: Geared toward novice to upper-beginner (approx. A2 level), with limited advanced learning pathways currently.
Early Access Constraints: Still in development—may encounter occasional bugs or incomplete features typical in early access software.
Stream Access Required for Mobile Use: No native mobile app exists; streaming via services like Steam Link or GeForce Now is needed—requiring stable internet.
Vocabulary Building: Particularly effective for teaching nouns, adjectives, verbs, numbers, colors, and simple phrases in a memorable and interactive way.
Motivation through Gamification: Ideal for engaging beginners who benefit from visual progress and playful rewards.
Blended Teaching Models: Works well in hybrid classrooms—students can begin on desktop and continue in VR seamlessly.
Data-Informed Instruction: Teachers can monitor learners’ progress to offer personalized feedback and targeted revision tasks.
Language Lab VR is an immersive, VR-based language learning app available on platforms like Oculus Quest, SteamVR, and Pico. It emphasizes natural language acquisition through Total Physical Response (TPR) techniques—learners complete tasks using only the target language, without relying on written grammar or multiple-choice exercises. The app is designed for A1–B1 proficiency levels, offering diverse environments such as homes, cafés, grocery stores, and virtual social spaces with live classes and language exchanges. New content, lessons, and vocabulary games are regularly added.
True immersion with TPR: Learners engage through listening and physical action, closely mirroring how children acquire language naturally.
Interactive learning environments: Touch objects in virtual settings and hear their names, reinforcing vocabulary through sensory interaction.
Social and live interaction: Weekly free language exchanges and live role-play sessions (e.g., working in a café or shopping) facilitate authentic communicative practice.
Multi-platform access: Free to download and usable across multiple VR systems, enhancing accessibility.
Enthusiastic user feedback: Some users report real vocabulary retention through repetitive and context-rich phrases.
Early access, still developing: As an early-access title, the app may contain bugs and lack full features (e.g., completed lesson sets or advanced speech feedback).
Minimal explicit grammar instruction: The approach may not suit learners who prefer rule-based or structured grammar learning.
Mixed user reactions: Some people find the app less engaging or mechanically repetitive compared to traditional language tools.
Best For ELT Classrooms
Beginner-level learners (A1–B1) who benefit from immersive, action-based vocabulary acquisition.
Teachers aiming to increase speaking confidence through immersive role-play scenarios.
Hybrid or blended learning environments where VR complements classroom instruction.
Learners are motivated by interactive, game-like experiences rather than textbook methods.
Cost & Accessibility
Language Lab VR is free to download on supported VR platforms (Oculus Quest, SteamVR, Pico). Value-pack purchases are available for additional content—typically around $8.99/month, $47.99 for six months, or $81.99 annually.
ClassVR is a turnkey VR solution designed specifically for educational settings, offering standalone headsets, a centralized Teacher Portal for content control, and a vast library of curriculum-aligned VR and AR experiences.
Educationally Ready and Reliable
ClassVR provides standalone devices that require no extra hardware, rugged storage and charging cases, plus easy-to-use teacher controls for seamless classroom integration sammat.educationClassVR.
Curriculum-Aligned Content
The system includes thousands of subject-aligned VR and AR lessons—ideal for language learning themes such as cafés, international landmarks, and cultural settings.
Engagement and Immersion
Teachers report significant increases in student collaboration, engagement, and descriptive language use after using ClassVR. For example, students explored volcanos and trenches, leading to richer discussions and improved knowledge retention.
User-Friendly Setup & Management
The interface is intuitive for both teachers and students, with streamlined playlist creation, lesson delivery, and content sharing via the ClassVR portal.
Training and Support Included
ClassVR includes professional setup, training, and ongoing support, which aids teachers in smoothly integrating VR into their instruction.
Limited Language-Specific Content
Some educators note a lack of targeted VR resources for language curricula, making alignment with specific lesson goals challenging EdTech Impact.
Basic Hardware Capability
ClassVR headsets are 3-DOF (three degrees of freedom), with limited motion tracking. Some users describe experiences as less immersive compared to consumer-grade VR systems like Meta Quest Reddit+2Reddit+2.
Potential Cost Limitations
While educationally focused, the hardware and licensing model may still be costly for some schools, especially if advanced interactivity or high-end VR performance is expected Reddit+1.
Best For ELT
Cultural and Contextual Role-Plays
Use pre-made scenes like cafés, monuments, and global sites to support situational dialogues and cultural storytelling.
Vocabulary Building Through Exploration
Leverage immersive journeys—like continent or city virtual tours—to prompt descriptive language and deeper comprehension.
Collaborative Discussion and Peer Language Tasks
Students observing VR content together can engage in rich conversation, compare language use, or reconstruct narratives.
Introductory VR Experience for Classrooms
Ideal for teachers who want to experiment with VR without high technical demands or expensive gear.
ClassVR includes device sets with charging/storage cases and offers teacher training and support. While requiring investment, it's a manageable, school-ready package. Content is ready-to-use, with options for adding custom or shared materials via the community portal