Nursing Students' Experiences with VR Language Simulations

Abstract

This master’s thesis explores the experiences of immigrant nursing students who participated in Virtual Reality (VR) simulations as part of their Finnish language education in healthcare settings. The research aims at analysing an innovative approach in language acquisition for immigrants in purpose to facilitate the integration of immigrants into the Finnish healthcare settings. On a broader level the research aims to contribute to the CultureExpert project, and by extension, to support national efforts to explore creative approaches in language learning. The research question guiding this study is: What kinds of experiences may immigrant nursing students have in learning Finnish through virtual reality simulations?

The conceptual framework includes the core concepts of the language learning approach in VR simulations, such as contextualized language learning, gamification and playfulness in language learning, student-centredness, as well as agency and affordances in VR language learning simulations. The data was gathered from 6 individual online interviews and analysed by means of qualitative content analyses.

The findings revealed that students’ experiences with VR-based language learning varied based on their language proficiency levels and emotional responses. Despite challenges such as limitations in speech recognition and time constraints, many participants described the learning approach as fun, motivating, futuristic and supportive of autonomous learning. The students also reflected on cultural insights, as well as perceived the method as innovative, engaging and creative. The study demonstrates that such a creative and innovative approach in language learning for healthcare workers has overall positive impact on learners’ confidence, resilience and cultural well-being.