|
Other virtual worlds such as [[Twinity]] and [[There]] also offer internal voice systems. Browser-based 3D virtual environments tend to only offer text-chat communication, although this seems likely to become more widespread <ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |title=Vivox Launches Toolbar For Browser-Based Voice Chat |url=http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2009/03/vivox-launches-toolbar-for-browserbased-voice-chat.html |work= Virtual World News |date=[[2009-03-18]] |accessdate = 2009-06-22 }}</ref>.
==Events==
Virtual worlds have become a mainstream part of language education and are frequently discussed at conventional events such as [[IATEFL]]. <ref>See IATEFL Cardiff Conference 2009 [http://www.iatefl.org/downloads/Cardiff%20Conference%20Brochure.pdf Brochure]</ref>.
However, specific events have developed to enable the sharing of ideas and experiences amongst virtual world language educators.
* [http://www.slanguages.net SLanguages] is an annual conference for virtual world language education that takes place on the EduNation islands in Second Life. Attendance is entirely within Second Life. The event is usually held for 24 continuous hours.
* [http://evosessions.pbworks.com/virtualworlds EVOnline] is the online track for the annual TESOL convention, that has several workshops and meetings within virtual worlds (especially Second Life)
* [http://www.theconsultants-e.com/edunation/educationedunation.asp A Coffee With Series] is a series of live interviews with leading educators (including Jeremy Harmer, Pete Sharma and Scott Thornbury).
==Communities==
Communities for language educators using virtual worlds have developed and include the following.
* [http://colanmc.siu.edu/virtualworlds/ CALICO/EUROCALL Virtual Worlds SIG] is a special interest group established jointly by EUROCALL and CALICO for virtual world language learning.
* [http://englishvillage.asia English Village] is a community of language teachers in Asia using Second Life.
* [http://www.rezed.org/group/languagelearninginvirtualworlds RezEd Language Learning in Virtual Worlds] community offers a Ning-based social network for those interested in 3D virtual language education.
* [http://slenglish.ning.com Second Life English Community] is an open community for language learners and teachers in the virtual world of Second Life.
* [http://slexperiments.edublogs.org SL Experiments] is a community of language teachers using Second Life. The website includes lesson plans.
* [http://virtual-learning-quality.ning.com/ Virtual Learning Quality] Ning-based Social Network for Mastering [[ISO 9001]] Quality Processes In Virtual Worlds
* [http://second-life-tool-ranking.ning.com/ Second Life Tool Ranking] What Second Life tools are the favorites of educators and trainers?
==Research Projects==
[http://www.avalonlearning.eu AVALON] is a 2 year project (January 2009 to December 2010) to explore 3D worlds for language learning. It is funded by the European Union.
==Beyond Virtual Worlds==
| 