The effects of Second Life on the motivation of undergraduate students learning a foreign language

Abstract

Virtual worlds are an emerging technology in computer-assisted learning. Due to the novelty of these new learning spaces, little research has been done on the use or the effects on students learning foreign languages. This research looks at how the use of the virtual world Second Life affects the motivation of students in an undergraduate Spanish course. Comparisons were made on responses to an attitude/motivation test battery completed by students enrolled in two sections of a beginning level undergraduate Spanish course. One section utilized Second Life as part of its instruction while the other section participated in traditional curriculum. Results demonstrate that virtual worlds could be a valuable resource to lower student anxiety and increase their motivation to learn a foreign language.

Keywords:

• virtual worlds; second language acquisition; motivation; Second Life; Spanish