“New Learning” and CALL: a DIY paradigm

This paper translates the implications of the “do-it-yourself” (DIY) culture of the “new learning” paradigm which is emerging due to digital technology and the Internet into the context of second language (L2)-pedagogy. It demonstrates the relevance of the DIY metaphor to the modern learning context while drawing on theoretical and CALL developments which problematise concepts such as text, engagement, meaning-making, dialogue and pedagogy. Hence, the principles on which the paper builds are distinct from the traditions which continue to dominate research in L2-pedagogy. The paper formulates a model of L2-pedagogy and pedagogic research which breaks with these traditions, and which proposes dialogue which leads to change as a methodology for both students’ learning and teachers’ research. In so doing, the paper identifies the opportunities and challenges that dialogue and its transformative power can offer.