Language Learning in a Virtual World

This paper reports the perceived benefits and drawbacks of using Second Life (SL), a virtual reality program, as a classroom supplement to promote contact and conversation with native Spanish speakers. Herein, both the professor and students voice their experiences with the program and how they believe it benefits language learning or does not. A questionnaire was administered to fifteen third-semester Spanish students attending a university in the southeastern United States of America. Thirteen of fifteen students reported that SL could help them learn Spanish, specifically in conversational interactions and the creative aspects of learning in a virtual world. The negatives associated with the program focused primarily on the logistical issues of computer hardware and the high learning curve of navigating in SL. In general, the study found that SL may be a beneficial resource that allows students a wider array of conversational opportunities and cultural experiences than provided in a traditional classroom. In addition to questionnaire results, suggestions for classroom implementation of SL are presented.