Effects of VR on Users' Speaking Performance and Cognitive Load: Design of VR-assisted English-Speaking Application on Mobile Phones

Virtual reality (VR) is now widely introduced into English education, while mobile VR applications for English as a foreign language (EFL) learners to practice their speaking are still scant. In order to design a prototype for the VR-assisted English-speaking application, a mixed-method research is conducted in the current study. It investigates 22 learners' oral performance, cognitive load and perspectives in a mobile-based VR learning condition. The results indicate learners' speaking performance has significant improvement, while their cognitive load is increased at the same time. Therefore, the application needs to provide functions helpful for users' better understanding on tasks and content. Besides, varied interaction is also necessary to enhance users' immersive learning experience. The prototype design based on the assessment findings is presented in the end of the study, which can be a reference for the application development in the future.