LANGUAGE FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES IN THE TELETANDEM ENVIRONMENT, BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE

Abstract

Teletandem (TT) is as a computer assisted language learning environment
in which two students communicate in order to learn
each other’s native language. In the case of a program focused on
Language for Specifi c Purposes (LSP), TT offers the possibility of
putting into contact two people with interests in the same scientifi
c or professional areas, thus confi guring a symmetrical relationship
which allows mutual help in specialistic areas where access
to traditional language teaching may be problematic. In fact, the
competence of teachers does not necessarily extend to the highly
specialized fi elds of knowledge mastered by these learners. TT can
provide an environment where it is possible to overcome the gap
between meaning (which the learner can verbalize in his/her native
language) and the linguistic forms required for expression in the
target language. The aim of this paper is to present the strengths
of TT for LSP and to discuss its critical issues.