The current study investigated the integration of one recent technology, i.e., Augmented Reality (AR), in language education and its effect on language achievement. To this end, the investigators designed and implemented a quasi-experimental pretest and posttest study involving two stages. The initial stage examined if Augmented Reality improved language achievement in EFL learners. The second one explored the existence of any interaction between such an effect and variables of learners’ gender, age, and educational background. The participants were 40 adult beginner-level adult learners in a language institute in Shiraz, Iran, and were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. In contrast, those in the control group studied the conventional materials. Data was collected through achievement tests included in the course materials package and analyzed with ANCOVA via SPSS. The findings revealed that language achievement was significantly enhanced for the experimental group. Moreover, results indicated that only educational background showed a meaningful relationship with the way learners benefit from using AR in improving their language achievement among the three moderator variables. The findings have implications for researchers and language instructors, and policymakers. Manuscript profile

This study intended to explore the effect of Augmented Reality (AR) on lowering foreign language anxiety (FLA) in adult Iranian EFL learners. To this end, a triangulation study including a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design in the first phase, and an oral interview in the second phase was designed and implemented. Forty adult Iranian EFL learners took part in the quantitative study and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The authors developed and delivered the AR-infused materials through the Zappar application, an AR platform. The treatment involved the conventional language teaching method for the control and the AR-integrated one for the experimental group for 20 sessions. The anxiety level of learners in both groups was assessed before and after the treatment to check for any effects. Data on participants’ FLA has been gathered through Horwitz’s (1986) Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Survey (FLCAS) questionnaire and analyzed via ANCOVA in SPSS. Also, the participants in the experimental group were interviewed at the end of the experiment to provide feedback on their AR-integrated language learning experience. Results revealed that AR did not affect learners’ foreign language anxiety levels. Also, some learners found it not very relaxing and easy to use. This could be attributed to the novelty of the experience and the cognitive load imposed on learners. The study’s outcomes were in contrast to several previous research findings; however, since research in this area is still in its infancy, more research should be done on the impact of AR on language education. Manuscript profile