Technology, Second Life, and the Foreign Language Classroom

Technology impacts learners of a foreign language because they can travel to a foreign country and become immersed in a foreign language without ever having to leave home. For example, in Second Life they can go to Mexico and explore the land. Or you could set up your own community and have students communicate in real life settings. When I was teaching I enjoyed setting up simulations in my own classroom, such as being at a restaurant, on an airplane, at a market, etc. Now I can do it online through a virtual world and students can experience it first hand as if they were there in a Spanish-speaking country or even in my classroom doing a live simulation. Oddly enough, it may seem even more real because students will feel like they are really there with all the surroundings, probably moreso than in a classroom full of desks. I'm pretty good at decorating and making the room look alive but I'm not not that good! LOL!!! A virtual world definitely makes it look more real. It is also useful because generally speaking students love computers and technology because that is what they have always known and so it captures their attention. Of course, when setting up a virtual world, it is important to have everything laid out, have all expectations in place, ensure students understand how everything works, and what they are supposed to do. Also it is vital that students know the objectives and understand that it isn't "play" time, that the activity is meaningful and that there are clear learning goals in place. You must have a plan and procedures in place on how it will all work. Since I am new at this, I would begin with smaller tasks and find out what works and what doesn't and continue to tweak it until I am more familiar with it. Once I have a better idea, I would start incorporating bigger projects and branch out and share virtual space with other classes and let our students interact which could be very fun for them. I think overall it can be very beneficial to foreign language learners but the key is proper planning and objectives.

Come explore Second Life.