IMMERSIVE GLOSSARIES IN VIRTUAL REALITY FOR ESP VOCABULARY INSTRUCTION

Virtual reality (VR) can be beneficial for both individual and collaborative learning by fostering a sense of presence and immersion (Chen, 2016; Dalgarno & Lee, 2010), particularly in the context of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) vocabulary teaching (Madini & Alshaikhi, 2017). This study investigates the use of immersive glossaries in VR as a form of ESP vocabulary instruction. In this context, immersive glossaries were integrated into a VR-based solution for specialised language learning, featuring interactive points that present specialist terms in textual, auditory and 3D visual formats. The study, conducted during the first semester of the 2025-26 academic year, employed a two-group pre- and post-test design. A total of twenty graduate students enrolled in the MA in Conference Interpreting participated in four training sessions focused on fashion vocabulary learning. Ten students engaged with the English-Italian immersive glossary in VR, while a control group of ten students used a traditional English-Italian glossary in Word format, typically employed in conference interpreting classes. Following the training, the pre- and post-test results were compared, revealing statistically comparable language gains in both groups. These findings suggest that immersive learning in VR can complement, rather than replace, traditional vocabulary instruction.