Virtual world language learning: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:51, 24 March 2012

Revision as of 11:58, 24 March 2012

Line 103:

==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 (Berry 2009).<ref>Berry C. D (2009) [http://news.rutgers.edu/focus/issue.2009-04-06.1814922901/article.2009-04-07.1692917645 "Virtual reality and high-tech simulations breathe second life into language classes"], ''Focus'', Rutgers University: USA, NJ. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref> Second Life is the widest-used 3D world among members of the language teaching community, but there are many alternatives. General-purpose virtual environments such as [http://hangout.net/ Hangout], [http://avatarhangout.com/ Avatar Hangout] and browser-based 3D environments such as [http://www.exitreality.com/ ExitReality] and [http://www.3dxplorer.com/ 3DXplorer] offer 3D spaces for social learning, which may also include language learning. [[Google Street View]] and [[Google Earth]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Language Resource Center at UNC Charlotte |title=Google Earth Activities for Foreign Language Classes |url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2496396767023982994&hl=en&fs=true |work=Presentation at Instructional Technology Showcase |date=2007-10-11 |accessdate = 2009-06-22}}</ref> also have a role to play in language learning and teaching.

[http://www.twinity.com/en Twinity] replicates the real life cities of Berlin, Singapore, London and Miami, and offers language learners virtual locations with specific languages being spoken. [http://enterzon.com Zon] has been created specifically for learners of Chinese.