Networked Multimedia and Foreign Language Education

Both multimedia applications and computer networks are well known, excellent tools for foreign language learning. However, networked multimedia—the ideal combination of both tools—is relatively new and potentially troublesome to many language professionals. Some institutions have started to experiment with a combination of multimedia and networks, and it is helpful to explore uses, problems, and solutions of networked multimedia for foreign language learning. This article presents information on the importance (and difficulties) of setting up networked multimedia environments for language education and discusses some possible solutions for the strategic transition to this new instructional format.