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A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners

A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners

Isara Kongmee (School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK), Rebecca Strachan (School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK), Alison Pickard (School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) and Catherine Montgomery (School of Health, Community & Education Studies, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)
Copyright: © 2012 |Volume: 3 |Issue: 4 |Article: 1 |Pages: 15
ISSN: 1947-8518|EISSN: 1947-8526|DOI: 10.4018/jvple.2012100101
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MLA

Kongmee, Isara, Rebecca Strachan, Alison Pickard and Catherine Montgomery. "A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners." IJVPLE 3.4 (2012): 1-15. Web. 1 Jan. 2019. doi:10.4018/jvple.2012100101

APA

Kongmee, I., Strachan, R., Pickard, A., & Montgomery, C. (2012). A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners. International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE), 3(4), 1-15. doi:10.4018/jvple.2012100101

Chicago

Kongmee, Isara, Rebecca Strachan, Alison Pickard and Catherine Montgomery. "A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners," International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE) 3 (2012): 4, accessed (January 01, 2019), doi:10.4018/jvple.2012100101

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Abstract

Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) create large virtual communities. Online gaming shows potential not just for entertaining, but also in education. This research investigates the use of commercial MMORPGs to support second language teaching. MMORPGs offer virtual safe spaces in which students can communicate by using their target second language with global players. Using a mix of ethnography and action research, this study explores the students’ experiences of language learning and performing while playing MMORPGs. The results show that the use of MMORPGs can facilitate language development by offering fun, informal, individualised and secure virtual spaces for students to practise their language with native and other second language speakers.

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