Second Language Second Language Acquisition in Second Acquisition in Second LifeLifeSLA in SLSLA in SL

Powerpoint by Wesleigh LiaoPowerpoint by Wesleigh Liao

What is Second Life?What is Second Life?

Second LifeSecond Life ( (SLSL) is an internet based ) is an internet based virtual world created by Linden Lab. virtual world created by Linden Lab.

Users are able to interact with each other Users are able to interact with each other through the use of through the use of avatarsavatars..

Users can Users can traveltravel, , socializesocialize, , participate in participate in individual and group activitiesindividual and group activities, , create and create and trade virtual property and servicestrade virtual property and services..

Second Life is for people aged 18 and Second Life is for people aged 18 and over, while over, while Teen Second Life is for people aged 13 to 17.

How to JoinHow to Join Visit the Second Life website: Visit the Second Life website: www.secondlife.com

Follow the Follow the registration registration

instructionsinstructions, choose an , choose an

avataravatar and then and then activate activate

your accountyour account..

Install and run the Install and run the

Second Life Viewer Second Life Viewer

applicationapplication..

Educational UseEducational Use

• Second Life is used as a Second Life is used as a platform for education platform for education by by many institutions, such as colleges, universities, many institutions, such as colleges, universities, libraries and government entities.libraries and government entities.

• Instructors and researchers in Second Life favor it Instructors and researchers in Second Life favor it because it is because it is more personal than traditional more personal than traditional distance learningdistance learning..

• Around the world, more than 300 universities Around the world, more than 300 universities teach courses or conduct research in Second Life.teach courses or conduct research in Second Life.

• Some new educational institutions operate Some new educational institutions operate exclusively within Second Life.exclusively within Second Life.

Learning a Second Learning a Second LanguageLanguage

• Users can take learning into their own hands Users can take learning into their own hands by:by:• meeting native speakersmeeting native speakers• enrolling in online language courses available enrolling in online language courses available

within Second Life, such as Avatar Languages:within Second Life, such as Avatar Languages:

www.avatarlanguages.comwww.avatarlanguages.com

Learning a Second Learning a Second LanguageLanguage

• For those who choose to learn on their own, they For those who choose to learn on their own, they should: should:

• choose a city where it would be easy to meet native choose a city where it would be easy to meet native speakers, such as London or New York.speakers, such as London or New York.

• Look at the map to find out where other avatars are Look at the map to find out where other avatars are so that you can go and meet them and practice your so that you can go and meet them and practice your second language.second language.

Using the Map to Meet Using the Map to Meet Other AvatarsOther Avatars

Map LegendMap Legend

The yellow dot located at The yellow dot located at the center is you.the center is you.

Other yellow dots are Other yellow dots are friends.friends.

Green dots are avatars Green dots are avatars you have not yet met.you have not yet met.