Technologies for Advanced Foreign Language Proficiency


Internet-mediated communication is no longer merely a proxy or additional activity used to foster development of communicative competence in other modalities. On the contrary, the Internet is increasingly a part of everyday communicative practice. The materials and workshops associated with the CALPER Technology project aim to prepare students and teachers to more fully realize the potential of computer-mediated-communication (CMC) for both teaching/learning and everyday communicative activity.

Project Director 2002-2010: Steven L. Thorne , The Pennsylvania State University; Co-director 2007-2010: Jonathon Reinhardt, The University of Arizona.

Teaching and Learning Materials:

CALPER's Foreign Language Computer Mediated Activity Library contains CMC activities with suggestions for using them in the classroom, and a bibliography with additional resources.


Professional Development Materials:


Thorne, S. L. & Reinhardt, J. (2008). Technology Workshop Resources. [Website]

Reinhardt, J., & Thorne, S. L. (2007). SCMC, Blogs, and Wikis. [CALPER DOWNLOAD]

Thorne, S., & Black, R. (2007). New media literacies, online gaming, and language education. (CALPER Working Paper Series, No. 8). The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Advanced Language Proficiency Education and Research. [CALPER DOWNLOAD]

Thorne, S. (2006). New technologies and additional language learning. (CALPER Working Paper Series, No. 7). The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Advanced Language Proficiency Education and Research. [CALPER DOWNLOAD]

Thorne, S. (2005). Internet-mediated intercultural foreign language education: Approaches, pedagogy, and research. (CALPER Working Paper Series, No. 6). The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Advanced Language Proficiency Education and Research. [CALPER DOWNLOAD]

Thorne, S., & Payne, J. S. (2005). Internet-mediated text and multi-modal expression in foreign language education. (CALPER Working Paper Series, No. 5). The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Advanced Language Proficiency Education and Research. [CALPER DOWNLOAD]