Second Life as a virtual platform for language education

This paper would like to introduce Second Life ® (SL) as a virtual platform for foreign language education. SL is a 3D virtual world accessible via the Internet. A free client programme enables its users to interact with each other through ‘Avatars’. An ‘avatar’ is the graphical representation of a computer user representing himself/herself or alter ego. Recent literature in the field endorses SL as a particularly appropriate platform for the development of oral language proficiency in distance education, collaborative and intercultural learning contexts and vocational training. The authors in particular would like to share their experience from the ongoing European project AVALON for the design, testing and implementation of language teaching and learning in Second Life. Avalon (Access to Virtual and Action Learning live ONline) is a 2 year multilateral project funded under the EU EACEA Life Long Learning Programme (LLP) and runs until December 2010. The 26 participating European partners include10 state funded universities and 16 other public and private organisations operating in the following areas: language education, teacher training, intercultural training, language testing and certification, online education, publishing, business communication and networking, design of 3D environments and language learning in Second Life ® . The project is a transversal programme which targets language learners from the Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus and Gruntdvig communities. Not only does the project aim to create a platform in which these diverse learning communities can come together but it also has a particular interest in providing access to technology and language learning to learners in remote locations. The ultimate aim of the project is to create both a virtual environment and a sustainable community of practitioners and users which will outlive the project itself. Finally, this paper will provide examples of learning scenarios that have been designed and are being implemented under the project including courses for Debating and Academic English, Business English, Italian for Beginners and English for the catering industry.