Virtual language students trade TV for lesson practice

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Press release: Languagelab.com students spend 15 hours a week in English City Outside of Class time.

Languagelab, creator of English City based in Second Life, have found that students spend on average 15 hours a week practicing in English City excluding scheduled class time.

Languagelab, creator of English City based in Second Life, have found that students spend on average 15 hours a week practicing in English City excluding scheduled class time. Surveys reveal that time spent in English City replaces leisure activities such as watching TV or surfing the net. This evidence strongly supports Languagelab’s belief that classes with engagement at their core are far more enjoyable for students.

English City was created using the principles of student engagement, that the environment should be immersive and fully interactive to maximise the learning experience. It is a virtual city based in Second Life that replicates environments where language interactions take place. It has everything you find in a physical city: an airport, hotels, cafes, art galleries, museums, business centres and much more. Classes are taught by qualified English teachers from the UK, USA and Australia and are scenario based. The survey results demonstrate that the methodology is effective, with students seeing study as a leisure activity.

“All lessons are in a contextual setting and students role-play and practice everyday interactions in the environments that they would normally occur,” said the company. “How much easier is checking in at a hotel once you’ve done it a dozen or so times? In English City students can practice this and any number of other scenarios until they are comfortable that they can handle it for real.”

Mike Solly, an English language expert who has been involved in developing English language training programs all over the world agrees with Languagelab’s approach.

“For me, the great thing about Languagelab is that you can bring the language learning experience (interacting with real people for a real purpose) into your own home,” he said. “You can learn a language around the busy lives that we lead nowadays, and become a part of an exciting community of learners in a way that you could never do in the traditional classroom…when you think about the ability to create whatever scenario you want in a virtual world, the educational opportunities are endless.”

For more information, visit: http://languagelab.com

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