MARIE-NO LLE LAMY is Professor of Distance Language Learning at the Open University, UK. She designed and delivered the university's first suite of language courses. Her research has focused on technology-mediated interactive learning of languages, and encompasses analysis of learner conversations, learner use of multimodality, e-literacies and the development of learning cultures in online groups. REGINE HAMPEL is Senior Lecturer in Modern Languages at the Open University, UK. She was instrumental in designing the university's first courses with online tutorials. Her research explores