Using Virtual Worlds toConduct Research on Language Learning

Mike McKayMike McKayEducational TechnologistEducational Technologist

AdjunctAdjunct Professor of English Professor of EnglishMukogawa WomenMukogawa Women’’s Universitys University

Founder of Cypris ChatFounder of Cypris ChatFREE Virtual World English Learning CommunityFREE Virtual World English Learning Community

Cypris Chat is an international not-for-profit Cypris Chat is an international not-for-profit community for English language learning in community for English language learning in Second Life. The purpose of our group is to Second Life. The purpose of our group is to provide a virtual social networking and provide a virtual social networking and meeting place for people looking to SPEAK meeting place for people looking to SPEAK English rather than study it. We hope this English rather than study it. We hope this community will foster friendships far and wide community will foster friendships far and wide while at the same time providing a fun and while at the same time providing a fun and safe environment for language learning.safe environment for language learning.

Why am I doing this presentation?Why am I doing this presentation?

To spread the word that virtual worlds are a viable To spread the word that virtual worlds are a viable alternative for distance educationalternative for distance education

To show teachers how they can improve their To show teachers how they can improve their ability to teachability to teach

To show teachers that the world is waiting to talk To show teachers that the world is waiting to talk to their studentsto their students

To offer a group that will help prepare educators To offer a group that will help prepare educators for the future of language learningfor the future of language learning

No time for training No time for training (Saeki, 2002)(Saeki, 2002)

I’m too busy with teaching and other I’m too busy with teaching and other workwork

No training I want to attendNo training I want to attend

I’m hesitant to bother my colleaguesI’m hesitant to bother my colleagues

40%

11%

10%

I’m too busy!!

Train from homeTrain from home

Learn how to teachLearn how to teach Learn how others teachLearn how others teach Learn new ways to teachLearn new ways to teach Meet people from around the worldMeet people from around the world AND…most importantly…AND…most importantly…

HAVE FUN!HAVE FUN!

EFL vs ESL GapEFL vs ESL Gap

The future of language learning has The future of language learning has been opened up. Technology has been opened up. Technology has closed the gap between the local café closed the gap between the local café on the corner in San Francisco, and a on the corner in San Francisco, and a student’s dorm room.student’s dorm room.

It’s time to visit that café!It’s time to visit that café!

Video of Cypris Chat and TeachingVideo of Cypris Chat and Teaching

Virtual WorldsVirtual Worlds

ConclusionConclusion

The best way to learn a language is to live abroad.The best way to learn a language is to live abroad.The second best way is to The second best way is to pretendpretend to live abroad. to live abroad.

Thank youThank you

Mike McKayMike McKaymike@professormerryman.commike@professormerryman.com

http://cyprischat.orghttp://cyprischat.org