Amanda W3- article review

Source: Journal of Virtual Worlds Research, Vol. 6 No. 1

Language Learning in Virtual Worlds: The Role of Foreign Language and Technical Anxiety 

This article gives a new point of view of language learning in virtual world, not only analysis students' attitude about study a foreign language in virtual world but also investigate the technical anxiety, which could lead to the result indicate the usage of virtual world (second life especially) of language learning.
  

Aim of study:

The aim of this study is test that foreign language anxiety, which has been reported as having a negative impact on learning in face-to-face classrooms, works similarly in 3D virtual environment, and the level of technical anxiety of this technology.

Methods:

55 students of Chinese at Monash University completed pre- and post-lesson online surveys, undertake three 1.5 hour lessons each semester in a simulation of a Chinese township (which has a number of venues used to conduct task-based learning activities related to themes in the textbook) in Second Life.

And all the lessons had task involves students must use Chinese character text-chat to communicate with non-player characters (NPCs) programmed to recognize and respond to student input. Students must use conversational language learnt and practiced during classroom-based lessons in free-form. If communication breaks down due to incorrect language, mistakes in characters or where sufficient information to move on with the task has not been elicited by preceding interactions, students must re- formulate their output until they obtain the information or artefacts they require.

  

Main Findings :

1.There are multiple sources of FLA in both classroom and virtual environments related with gender,age, previous study experience.

2.Students who learn foreign language through virtual environment felt less stressful in terms of use language to communicate and complete tasks

3. No significant inherent level of technical related anxiety while using second life taking language study courses.