Examining Second Life’s Virtual Learning Platform to Develop English Language Skills Competency: Opportunities and Challenges

Riad F. Hassan1, Hisham Dzakiria1, Rozhan M. Idrus2

(1. College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia; 2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia)

Abstract: Within the related language teaching and learning, various terms have been assigned to Virtual Worlds and similar environments. One of these terms is Second Life. Learning English for EFL learners have been always challenging task. Second Life is a phenomenon raising interest many educators around the world, with many educational and institutions experimenting and offering classes in Second Life for enhancing their students language skills due to its immersive and interactive environment. Its interactive interfaces provide students with realistic experiences and simulated everyday situation in 3D virtual worlds for more authentic and physical practice, students’ awareness of the target culture, knowledge construction and learning. On the other hand, its drawbacks can be categorized as financial, technical and user-related once. This paper offers a broad vision of potential benefits and challenges associated with using Second Life as educational tool develop students’ language learning. It provides a definition of Second Life as well as demonstrates the affordances that Second Life offers for language learning.

Key words: second life, English as a foreign language, virtual worlds, computer assisted language learning 

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