Place-Belongingness Through Digital Language Learning and Placemaking

A sense of belonging to one's living place can affect their wellbeing. Enhancing social and spatial interactions can contribute to this sense. Utilizing language learning apps and digital placemaking activities have the potential to improve these interactions among non-native residents, but the potential synergy between these two methods remains largely unexplored. This paper outlines a research design to investigate this untapped synergy. We propose examining how international students' sense of belonging to their living place can be enriched through combining the use of a language-learning app and participating in digital placemaking activities. The proposed research will evaluate the effectiveness of this integration and compare the respective impacts of the language-learning app and digital placemaking on enhancing place-belongingness. In doing so, this paper highlights the potential of language learning apps and digital placemaking activities in fostering place-belongingness. We also outline the research methods, expected contributions of the study, and potential challenges that may arise.