Abstract

This paper examines using Second Life (SL) in English as a second and foreign language instruction. SL is the fastest growing online multi-user virtual community on the Web. SL provides learners with opportunities to engage in highly motivating social activities where communication closely mimics the activities and interactions of most face-to-face environments including a classroom. Instructors can use the SL environment to carry out some of their collaborative and communicative language learning goals that are in line with constructivistic principles. As promising as this seems, however, it is important to note that using SL is not without problems and limitations many of which stem from instructional, cultural, and technological issues. As future iterations of SL are developed, the disadvantages of today may indeed fade away and give rise to brand new ones, but it is also likely that this platform will offer even more advantages to using it within an ESL/EFL learning environment.

Citation

Rashed, D., Lyons, S. & Bae, H.K. (2010). Second Life in English as a Second Language Instruction. In J. Sanchez & K. Zhang (Eds.), Proceedings of E-Learn 2010--World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education (pp. 560-561). Orlando, Florida, USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved August 5, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/35603/.

© 2010 Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)

Keywords

• second life