Language Learning in Virtual World

The use of new technologies brought more virtuality to our life. Next to the real world there exists a virtual world which allows us do everything that we can do in our real life. As an example of virtual world I would like to speak about Second life. Second Life is an online 3D virtual world. Users choose an online identity - an "avatar" - to represent themselves within the Second Life community. The avatar can walk, run, dance and fly in the virtual world, and can also communicate with other avatars using chat and instant messaging.

There are different articles that discuss the language learning in second life.  Calongne, for instance, in the article “Learning in a Virtual World” claims that in order to have successful language learning in Second Life, it is very crucial to have the required technology, tools, engagement, course structure, feedback and a good orientation to use the tool. Second life gives us opportunity to create a safe learning environment. It is known that fear and hesitance are barriers in successful learning, and in the virtual world learners should know that it is ok to make mistakes and that they are required to actively participate in learning process. It is known that Ss best learn from mistakes and rarely forget them. So these mistakes are great opportunities for learning. Language learning in second life has focus on interaction. This method, surely does not replace traditional way of teaching, but it does offer additional ways of making students show what they know and especially how they can apply this knowledge.

One of the problems that I consider very important in the use of Second life is that this way of learning requires a lot of time spent on other things than learning. The problems in downloading or installing the program may take some students’ time and discourage them to go on working with it. Besides, in second life there are so many interesting places to go and things to try that may disturb language learners. To solve this problem a synchronous class session organized and monitored by the teacher may be the best solution. So, first of all, language teachers should be “experts” in using second life for learning purposes, and in this case, they may very successfully complement their traditional language classrooms with new interactive way of teaching. 

 

References

1.  M. Calongne 2008, Learning in a Virtual World, Educational Frontiers, Educause.

     2.  secondlife.com