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==History==
[[Virtual worlds]] date back to the adventure games and simulations of the 1970s, for example [[Colossal Cave Adventure]], a text-only simulation in which the user communicated with the computer by typing commands at the keyboard. These early adventure games and simulations led
Three-dimensional virtual worlds such as ''Traveler'' and [[Active Worlds]], both of which appeared in the 1990s, were the next important development. ''Traveler'' included the possibility of audio communication (but not text chat) between avatars represented as disembodied heads in a three-dimensional abstract landscape. Svensson (2003) describes the Virtual Wedding Project, in which advanced students of English made use of ''Active Worlds'' as an arena for constructivist learning.<ref>Svensson P. (2003) "Virtual worlds as arenas for language learning". In Felix U. (ed.) ''Language learning online: towards best practice'', Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger.</ref> The [[Adobe Atmosphere]] software platform was also used to promote language learning in the Babel-M project (Williams & Weetman 2003).<ref>Williams C. & Weetman C. (2003) Babel-M: A virtual environment for the promotion of language learning, [http://www.parapal-online.co.uk/prof/atmosphere_design.html ''Paragraph PAL''], 23 June 2003.</ref>
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Since 2007 a series of conferences known as SLanguages have taken place, bringing together practitioners and researchers in the field of language education in Second Life for a 24-hour event to celebrate languages and cultures within the 3D virtual world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slanguages.net/home.php|title=slanguages.net}}</ref>
With the decline of second life due to increasing support for open source platforms<ref>Karlov, Maria (2012) "OpenSim gains record-breaking 2,177 regions", http://www.hypergridbusiness.com/2012/09/opensim-gains-record-breaking-2177-regions/</ref> many independent language learning grids such as English Grid<ref>{{cite web|url=http://englishgrid.com|title=keating.me Secure Email}}</ref> and Chatterdale<ref>Trombly, Anastasiahave (2012): http://www.hypergridbusiness.com/2012/05/virtual-worlds-offer-variety-less-stress-for-language-learners/</ref> have emerged.
==Approaches to language education in virtual worlds==
Almost all virtual world educational projects envisage a [[blended learning]] approach whereby the language learners are exposed to a 3D virtual environment for a specific activity or time period. Such approaches may combine the use of virtual worlds with other online and offline tools, such as 2D virtual learning environments (e.g. [[Moodle]]) or physical classrooms. SLOODLE. for example, is an open-source project which integrates the multi-user virtual environments of Second Life and/or [[OpenSimulator|OpenSim]] with the Moodle learning-management system.<ref>SLOODLE is a free and open source project which integrates the multi-user virtual environments of Second Life and/or OpenSim with the Moodle learning-management system: http://www.sloodle.org/moodle/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426073659/https://www.sloodle.org/moodle/ |date=26 April 2015 }}</ref> Some language schools offer a complete language learning environment through a virtual world, e.g. [[Languagelab.com]] and [http://www.avatarlanguages.com/home.php Avatar Languages].
Virtual worlds such as Second Life are used for the [[immersion (virtual reality)|immersive]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Douglas |last=Canfield |title=Using Immersive Learning Environments in Foreign Language Classes: Second Life |url=https://www.calico.org/p-398-%20..html |work= Paper presented at CALICO 2008 |access-date = 2011-05-07}}</ref> collaborative<ref>{{cite news |first=Jessamine |last=Cooke-Plagwitz |title=Conversing in the Metaverse: Language Teaching and Learning in Second Life |url=https://www.calico.org/p-398-%20..html |work= Paper presented at CALICO 2008 |access-date = 2011-05-07 }}</ref> and task-based, game-like<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Chan |title=Developing a Meaning-focused and Task-based Virtual Learning Reality |url=https://www.calico.org/p-398-%20..html |work= Paper presented at CALICO 2008 |access-date = 2011-05-07}}</ref> opportunities they offer language learners. As such, virtual world language learning can be considered to offer distinct (although combinable) learning experiences.
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=== Virtual Worlds and Artificial Intelligence ===
Immersion brought by virtual worlds is augmented with [[artificial intelligence]] capabilities for language learning. Learners can interact with the agents in the scene using speech and gestures. Dialogue interactions with automatic interlocutors provide a language learner with access to authentic and immersive conversations to role-play and learn via [[task-based language learning]] in a new immersive classroom that uses AI and VR.
===Voice chat===
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==Alternative 3D worlds==
Many islands in Second Life have language- or culture-specific communities that offer language learners easy ways to practise a foreign language
''Twinity'' replicates the real life cities of Berlin, Singapore, London and Miami, and offers language learners virtual locations with specific languages being spoken. Zon has been created specifically for learners of Chinese.<ref>Zon: A multiplayer, online learning environment designed to teach Chinese language and culture through gameplay: http://enterzon.com/</ref> English Grid<ref>English Grid: http://englishgrid.com</ref> has been developed by education and training professionals as a research platform for delivering English language instruction using opensim.
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[[Category:Language education]]
[[Category:Virtual reality]]
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