Linden Prize Honorable Mention
Languagelab.com
Jessie Teacher
Languagelab was founded in 2005 by David Kaskel, who realized the potential of using immersive spaces to learn years ago while playing international MMOs. He noticed English fluency improved rapidly through social interactions in virtual environments. While playing DAoC he saw a German player go from beginner to nearly fluent in one month, albeit in an MMO context. Languagelab is also the result of his doctoral research on the relationship of people with their avatars. During Beta testing,Kaskel's team tried a number of pedagogic styles, eventually settling on a framework that is tailor-made for SL. Working with a team of ESL, technical and drama specialists, Languagelab opened English City in 2007. English City is populated by native speaker teachers and actors who play characters like coffee shop owners, bank managers and actresses. These characters run businesses,have social relationships and 'live' in the city, providing authentic, situational practice. Languagelab has developed a 'guided immersion' system,which consists of structured classes and freeform practice.Students can use what they have learned in real scenarios with English City actors. All activities are flexible, creating a learner-driven environment which caters to the level of each individual at all times.
Interactions have real life relevance. Students prepare for living in English speaking countries, doing business or making friends.
Activities include: English for restaurants, travel, business, medicine, etc.
Our environment is underpinned by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ensuring good practice and standardized level testing.
Our pioneering Instructor Assisted Learning (IAL) methodology will be showcased at the IATEFL conference, the world’s premier English Teaching conference in March 2009.
'The English City Story'the compelling style of learning with a soap opera style narrative, was presented at the DHRA conference 2008(Cambridge University).
Languagelab has also collaborated with the Universities of Tennessee,Palermo, Kings College London and is part of SL Education Group and featured with Linden Lab at Virtual Worlds London 2008. Case Studies: Oday (Iraq) progressed from elementary to pre-intermediate level in three weeks. Fully immersed in English City, he profited greatly from the student and English City People network. It is very difficult for him to find quality education in his area. Mauro (Italy) is a more mature intermediate student. Intermediate students are notoriously difficult to progress once they reach the 'intermediate plateau'. However, Mauro is an active member of the student community and continues to improve daily. Linden Labs’ mission is to connect everyone to an online world that advances the human condition. Languagelab should be considered for the Linden Prize because our students experience a unique and cutting-edge method of learning, while using SL in a productive and lasting way. Also, it's faster (reduced learning times compared to other methods), more compelling (higher level of engagement than real life) and provides incentives to practice until perfect and is comfortable (protection of avatar identity allows for greater risk taking and learning opportunities).
