Stories from Second Life: How Languagelab gave language learning a new lease on life

by Robin Linden

This is the second installment of “Stories from Second Life,” an occasional series of profiles of the people behind Second Life innovations, and the tangible benefits that these individuals and their businesses have brought to both the virtual and the real worlds.

Hadrian Yorke rezzed on June 26, 2003 and later Edgware Marker (real life name David Kaskel) first rezzed in Second Life on April 23, 2004, buying his first land in Second Life. At the time he was a graduate student at the Center for Computing in Humanities at King’s College in Great Britain. His doctoral research was focused on looking at avatars as a theatrical paradigm, considering how much you as an individual are an audience for what your avatar is doing, and how much your avatar is a reflection of who you are. Among other projects, he worked on a visualization project for King’s College to recreate historic European theaters in Second Life. The theaters reflect different time periods and different locations including Britain, Germany, Italy and Greece. Designed to be learning theaters under the heading of King’s Visualization Lab, this project is still growing within Second Life.

Early in his Second Life experience, David paired up with master magician Starax Statosky and the two created a giant living room. Within the build they placed a large magnetic board with word magnets that could be manipulated to form sentences. It was the resulting collaborative play that led David to realize the potential of bringing people together in a virtual space to work together and learn.

[for the images, see the blog post http://blog.secondlife.com/2008/11/26/stories-from-second-life-how-languagelab-gave-language-learning-a-new-lease-on-life/]

In 2005 David laid out the idea for teaching English as a second language to the global audience within Second Life, and at the end of the year he incorporated Languagelab. At that point he decided to put all his focus on his new venture and by the fall of 2007 Languagelab was completing its beta. This year they enrolled their first paying students.

Today Languagelab operates exclusively in Second Life and has invested a significant amount in terms of R&D and testing to provide an unparalleled virtual learning space where students can be paired with highly qualified, innovative language teachers from around the world.

It’s long been known that immersion in an environment with native speakers is the best way to practice and learn a second language. And as David realized early on, the virtual world environment naturally lends itself to language learning, due to its immersive nature and ability to make learning contextually relevant to both situations and locations.

Using the creation tools in Second Life, Languagelab built “English City” where students learn to have contextual conversations with native speakers, for example, by sitting in a café and ordering food together. This methodology of supervised user driven instruction is called in Languagelab parlance; IAL (Instructor Assisted Learning.)

David’s company now has 250 students from countries such as Yemen, France, Brazil, KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), China, India, Japan and Poland, registered to learn English in the immersive environment of Languagelab.

The company has also built a specific entry route from its website at www.languagelab.com and its own Registration Center in Second Life, enabling students to get up to speed quickly in the virtual environment and and providing support in choosing the best study plan.

Today Languagelab’s students pay a monthly subscription which gives them access to the City where they practice under teacher supervision to increase fluency. They also take structured classes in the classroom. Beginning in 2009 full courses will begin, and allow students to pay by the course or to maintain a subscription. David also plans to launch additional courses in 2009 including a 10 week elementary Spanish course. The company has 11 full-time employees in London, eight teachers and an instructional designer plus 20-30 part-time staff populating the City and providing technical support, Second Life skills training and voice set-up. If you’re interested in picking up a second language, visit Languagelab in Second Life, on Language Lab Island, or see their website.

Language Lab Island: SLurl
Languagelab Web Site: www.languagelab.com

It goes without saying that we’d love to feature more of these profiles, so we can continue to highlight the infinite number of ways the Second Life community is innovating. Is there a hidden gem that you feel is worth the spotlight? If so, please comment in the Forum thread [ THIS ONE ], or email me at [email]robin@lindenlab.com[/email].

You can also visit more Second Life Grid success stories via the Solution Providers listing.
http://secondlife.com/solution_providers/success/listings.php

Who would you suggest?

Robin will be checking in a few times during the next few days, (during the US holiday of Thanksgiving, for her,) to see who among the "...people behind Second Life innovations, and the tangible benefits that these individuals and their businesses have brought to both the virtual and the real worlds...." you think would be ideal subjects for one of the "Stories from Second Life"?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you -- we'd like to make this an on-going series based on your suggestions.

We've posted two examples, by the way, this week.

The first was:

Stories from Second Life: Studio Wikitecture
http://blog.secondlife.com/2008/11/25/stories-from-second-life-studio-wikitecture/

this is a hard one because there are so many people that make SL such a unique experience, from business to personal

I wish you luck finding just the right stories

(ever thought of doing some stories on the more personal side of SL, such as those who go from SL to RL and what is involved and the global impact it may have, not to mention all the red tape they have to deal with

(human interest stories I guess LOL)

and a happy thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate it and to those who do not may you have a great weekend!

I'm sorry. But too much text, a weird communication between two Lindens (where were you in the OS thread?!!) and frankly... very boring. Don't focus on socalled 'innovations' (or SL as a business platform, for that matter), focus on your customers at hand! Consumers, normal people who like to chat, dance and shop.

Do that first and make a platform that can support at least 500.000 avis at a time. Then talk about rl business opportunities and the combination between sl and rl worlds. Sometimes I really don't understand in which world you live.

I guess the name that I keep seeing as being hugely knowledgeable and helpful is Chosen Few. I know you guys already know who he is

the link to http://www.languagelab.com/ in the article is missing a http:// in the beginning, which is why it leads users to a non existing subpage of the blog. wanted to ask for fixing

no one, why must SL be a contest?

Thanks, got it!

-- Katt

I must have missed something .. what's innovative about trading sitting in a classroom in RL for sitting in a classroom in SL? And, yes, both articles are very wordy and include unnecessary RL personal detail. 70,000 residents doing all manner of builds, scripting and content creation and you chose these? The architecture piece you did earlier was funny in that the "radical collaboration" didn't seem all that radical; most clothes and buildings in SL are modeled after RL examples. Frankly I think you both (Katt and Robin) need to get out on the grid more and see some sights.

And interact more with the residents. Well said, Cincia.

plastic duck :o)
most likely the usual suspects i suppose though.

Please do keep your comments on the topic of this thread.

Thanks.

-- Katt

Ah, Cinca, it does sound like we weren't clear enough for you! Keystone did explain this toward the end of the interview, as summarized in the post:

http://blog.secondlife.com/2008/11/25/stories-from-second-life-studio-wikitecture/

The innovation in the architecture example was partly the build - the many contributors resulted in a building so specific that it included local materials that could be easily found (you can read about it on the Architecture for Humanity site) - but also the way the team collaborated. I thought it was really interesting the way they use their Wiki Tree - it basically serves as a dispenser of prims already set to group, for instance, and then once you've modified the prim(s) you can put them back in the Tree/dispenser, and then others in the team can work on, and vote on, your ideas, and you on theirs.

Languagelab does more than have avatars sit in a classroom, of course.

So, Cinca, who do you think we should write about, where should we visit?

I think its amazing that someone got the skills and talent and tools to use SL to some that make sens RL

I my self dont got that skills or tools,,,hvat i hope i done with SL in RL for some are to give them a smile in here when thay feel down.. to comfert them and cheer them up, to trye to help them with there problems, i think that are the most important i can do for anyone, And i am not alone.. there are tousens of SL members that do help other in there real life in SL every day, and i will like to give all of them a prize.. A red rose of love
Love are somthing that got no price, if you just take it,,its free

I think you should feature some inspirational stories. For example, how people get together to raise money for various charities or how they get together to start up support groups for things such as depression, CFS etc...

Also you should do some stories on how Second Life has changed people's lives.

I am sure there are a lot of people unable to work in RL for various reasons, and do so in Second Life instead, becoming extremely successful.

I'm sure there are a few people who have met up in Second Life and ended up married in RL.

I'm sure there are a lot people who through illness or disability, are not able to socialize in RL, and have found a way to fill that void via Second Life instead.

I personally know a few people who have been extremely ill, unable to work in RL, who instead have worked from home through SL and have become extremely successful, where SL has become their RL revenue.

I think its incredible to see what some people have used SL for and for once a nice positive post on the blog.
For those that don't 'get it' learning a language can be incredibly difficult and doing so in an immersive environment makes it a lot easier. You also have the problem that classes of the kind you are looking for may not be available near your home so this would make it more universally available.
My only question is 'Do others offer classes in other languages?'

As for showcasing them I am sure many of us would be unaware of the many great projects in SL, like RFL and relay, if it wasn't for showcases and posts like this one. I think as long as Linden Lab focusses on the things that are of benefit for many then the showcase is a great idea. I just don't believe shops and fashion should be a part of it.

WORKING WORLDS/GAX TECHNOLOGIES: INTERNATIONAL CAREER FAIR
Join us November 27, Thursday, for the third recruiting job fair event for GAX Technologies.
This time Working Worlds will have some of the biggest employers in Europe present and they will be interviewing candidates in their virtual offices.
GAX Technologies has made its mark in Second Life with their hugely successful in-world Career Fairs. Every six months the Working Worlds/ GAX Technologies Career Fair is held and each fair has been larger than it's predecessor, thus making the sky the limit for the Working Worlds Career Fairs.
To help job hunters learn more about the fair and how it will benefit them there will be conferences and e-learning sessions at the Working Worlds location in-world.
Working Worlds offers everything possible to help ensure the success of the job seekers.
This months career fair is off to an exciting start with 3,500 candidates from all over Europe who have submitted their CVs online. In order to participate as a career seeker go to the Working Worlds' website www.working-worlds.com and register your CV it's a very easy process and gets you well on your way to finding not just another job but to finding a career in the field of your dreams. The fair that was held May 2008 brought 2,900 visitors, 2,767 candidates who filed their CVs and 600 official interviews that took place. The previous one before that brought 2,000 visitors, 1,500 candidates who registered their CVs and 300 interviews that took place. As you can see the difference in the numbers between the first and second events were astounding. The amount of candidates grew immensely and the amount of interviews doubled.
Cornelia den Hartog, Managing Director of 'GAX Technologies' and organizer of the Career Fairs is entirely convinced; 'The need for companies to attract new profiles from beyond the territorial limits is becoming more and more important. 'The 'Working Worlds' Career Fairs are in itself the most efficient solutions currently available to these companies without having to deploy significant resources. Our partners will be directly in touch with candidates who will not have to travel, but who may meet their future employer "Live" on Second Life'.
The Working Worlds sim gives a career seeker the opportunity to do something they cannot do outside of a virtual world. One can get up out of bed, walk over to the computer, and be interviewed without having to change clothing or pay travel expenses to interview with recruiters from prestigious companies for a job that he/she is qualified for. Having such a recruitment tool like a career fair in Second Life definitely makes the impossible seem possible and places the world of opportunities at a career seeker's fingertips. As we have stated before, it really does not get any easier than this and the results can be just as rewarding for both the employer and the job seeking employee. Come down and discover a creative, fulfilling, and exciting world of opportunities. There is opportunity for everyone, you are invited to come and find that career you have always wanted it is just a teleport away. You have had jobs now come find your career!
Date: 27 November 2008 (Thursday)
Time: 1am-12noon SLT
Venue: Grand Ducale 128,96,22
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Grand%20Ducale/129/97/22
For more information regarding Working Worlds, please contact Gaxdirector Weston (Managing Director) of Gax Technologies and organizer of the Career Fair, or Annette Wilder (CEO) of Wilder Public Relations Firm.
Working Worlds Website:http://www.working-worlds.com

I think you should showcase some builds that are great places to visit in SL. If I listed my favorites, they're probably everyone else's favorites too, because I found out about them here. I would like to hear about some really neat places that haven't already been hyped in other threads on the forums. Also, as a handicapped person myself in RL, I second the request for articles about disabled people who have made good in SL.

BTW, please don't let the constructive criticism about wordiness and so forth discourage you. Just visit places on the grid and write, write, write!

I think the idea of using SL as a venue for language education is a good one, because SL brings so many people from so many different backgrounds together. The customers are here. As a business venture, it will succeed or fail based on whether the customers feel they're getting their money's worth. It's up to the business venture to provide quality education. It's up to SL to solve any technical problems that crop up WRTO lag, crashes, etc. If both of you can bring it all together, there's no reason why this shouldn't be a rousing success. In the interests of fairness, if other people are offering language instruction, they should get a showcase also.

Kathryn

You are right on with this post dana. It IS amazing what some people have used SL for..just look at Relay for Life in SL. While the main focus may be to raise much needed funds for cancer research...it does so much more than that.

When I first came to SL almost 2 years ago it was just a game to me. A way to take my mind off the fact that I had lost my mother to colon cancer and I could not seem to let it or her..go. It was affecting my RL in so many ways...but mainly I was angry and hurt. I accidently got involved in Relay for Life in SL and it has changed my life...in SL but mainly in RL. I finally had an outlet for that anger! That first Relay for Life in SL that I was involved with brought me in contact with HUNDREDS of people whose lives have been affected by cancer...in one way or the other. People with cancer, people whose family members have cancer or died of cancer or are dying of cancer. People who are caregivers of cancer patients and then there are the SURVIVIORS. The cancer surviviors involved in RFL in SL are the strongest, most caring and giving people I have ever met...in SL or RL. They share their experiences and knowledge and offer their help with anyone that deals with cancer in their RL...in anyway. And face it...there is probably not one person in SL or RL that is not affected by cancer in one way or another.

RFL of SL has been successful in so many ways that the American Cancer Society has accepted them as one of their Teams and has sent RL representatives into SL just for RFL.

The American Cancer Society has an Island in Second Life that serves as a central meeting place for volunteers and avatars who are affected by cancer. It features “Hope Haven,” a place where the cancer survivor support group can meet regularly and in private so they can share intimate information with each other to help cope with diagnoses and treatment, as well as provide comfort and support for one another. It also features a building that is dedicated to Relay For Life volunteers, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer volunteers, Island Greeter volunteers and an Information Library. American Cancer Society pamphlets and brochures provide information related to cancer prevention, treatment options, support and information, which are available in the Information Library, as well as informative videos about the history of the American Cancer Society, cancer information, patient support programs, and Relay For Life information.

The objective of the ACS Island is to provide visitors with a peaceful atmosphere and a comfortable place for volunteers and those seeking information... to return as often as they like. “The American Cancer Society plans to utilize the virtual office no differently (in concept) than any other office in any other city,” says Jeffrey Montegut, the American Cancer Society’s Second Life Manager. “The same services that are offered in a real life office should be available to the Second Life community, because there are real people facing real issues behind each and every avatar. The American Cancer Society recognizes that, and fully supports our volunteers in Second Life.

And this is just one of the many great projects in SL. As dana stated..these projects should be showcased...or many people who are unaware of them would never know there are so many wonderful resources available to them in Second Life.

yes please delete more of my posts

This is where I would like to see SL heading if they intend on writing abotu indivduals and groups within the blog.

I truly think the focus on the RL business aspect of SL and the advertisment of those businesses in the blog is very thinly veiled right now. You can spin an advertisement anyway you like but it is still going to be one.

One woudl assume your doing this kind of thing to attract new people to SL whomight stumble across this stuff. Only you continue to look down the corperate path. Which Ill admit is mildly amusing,though futile.

Stories about the real eeveryday avies in SL who help each other, who fll in love here, who raise money for good causes, who have found soemthign in SL that they culdnt in RL .... inspirational stories are what will attract people to SL. Real people.

Though not those corperate businesses you Lindens seem to want so much.

I cannot work out if Lindens all belong to Stepford, or the pages of an Enid Blyton book! But Cincia Singh's comments were the most spot on. For sure Lindens need to spend much more time hopping round the grid to get a fuller picture for themselves of what is in Second Life - all levels of it. The languageLab article, whilst highlighting one particular successful organisation, really just seems to be a free ad for one particular business, and appears biassed. Most regular users in SL will be already aware of how non-English speaking friends are getting to grips with the language in a natural way, without having to be bored to tears in a virtual classroom setting, or a virtual cafe. If any Lindens want to come and have a travel around "my world", I am more than willing to show you Second Life through my virtual eyes!!

Hi all, thanks for the feedback.

My thought in doing profiles is to focus on the individual and what they've done in Second Life -- whether they've started a successful business, changed people's lives (real or virtual) for the better, or created something exquisite. I want to highlight and celebrate these individuals and their achievements.

I agree that these people are to be found everywhere in Second Life, and it will be a challenge to choose just some of their stories. So send me your ideas and we can get started.

Rhaorth, dana and Leah -- Is there someone in particular you think I should interview?

Toy - It's not a contest. It's a way to acknowledge contributions. Any ideas?

Marigold - you're on. I'll get in touch and we'll take a tour.