Comments on: Why Every Language Teacher Needs a (Second) Life http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/ We're better when we work together Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:52:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Barbara http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Barbara Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:52:27 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-53 I'm glad, Siobhan! I look forward to seeng you in-world. I've added you as a friend, so let me know if I'm online when you are, and we'll get together. Or, you can also join the group at www.chateaudetuite.ning.com and get notices about beginning teacher workshops. I'm glad you are willing to give Second Life a try--I think you'll like it! I’m glad, Siobhan! I look forward to seeng you in-world. I’ve added you as a friend, so let me know if I’m online when you are, and we’ll get together. Or, you can also join the group at http://www.chateaudetuite.ning.com and get notices about beginning teacher workshops.

I’m glad you are willing to give Second Life a try–I think you’ll like it!

]]> By: siobhan curious http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-52 siobhan curious Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:49:35 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-52 Well, you've convinced me. This lucid explanation is very helpful! I've signed up and will explore for a while...Thanks for showing me how to navigate an intimidating new world! Well, you’ve convinced me. This lucid explanation is very helpful! I’ve signed up and will explore for a while…Thanks for showing me how to navigate an intimidating new world!

]]> By: Barbara http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Barbara Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:58:05 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-47 Thank you Ozge and Aniya for your kind comments, and sorry for my tardy response :-) Aniya, you are another great example of the "student" surpassing the "teacher" in a VERY short time. I don't own any land! And Ozge, if you'll send me your Second Life name, I'll add you to our in-world group. I would love to meet up with you sometime. I'm totally envious of your coffee meetings with Burcu, and as I'm unlikely to be in Turkey in the near future, this is the best I can do... Thank you Ozge and Aniya for your kind comments, and sorry for my tardy response :-)

Aniya, you are another great example of the “student” surpassing the “teacher” in a VERY short time. I don’t own any land!

And Ozge, if you’ll send me your Second Life name, I’ll add you to our in-world group. I would love to meet up with you sometime. I’m totally envious of your coffee meetings with Burcu, and as I’m unlikely to be in Turkey in the near future, this is the best I can do…

]]> By: Aniya http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Aniya Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:25:30 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-43 Last but not least ;) great post and a thanks for showing me the ropes. I would never of realized the immense power Second Life had if I hadn't of tried it again, (thanks to you) and as others have mentioned it does seem very complex until you know how. I am still going through the learning process, but have bought my first plot of land and a house, which I intend to use as my base to invite students for conversation, guided tours and visual based learning lessons, and teachers to chill out with...I am finding it very time consuming, but I believe it will pay off giving me that extra information and head start to continue this new learning/teaching adventure. Thanks!!! :) Last but not least ;) great post and a thanks for showing me the ropes. I would never of realized the immense power Second Life had if I hadn’t of tried it again, (thanks to you) and as others have mentioned it does seem very complex until you know how. I am still going through the learning process, but have bought my first plot of land and a house, which I intend to use as my base to invite students for conversation, guided tours and visual based learning lessons, and teachers to chill out with…I am finding it very time consuming, but I believe it will pay off giving me that extra information and head start to continue this new learning/teaching adventure. Thanks!!! :)

]]> By: Ozge Karaoglu http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Ozge Karaoglu Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:10:52 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-40 Hi Barbara, This is such a wonderful and an inspring post, I really enjoyed reading it!! After reading your post, I think that I should give SL a second chance :) I don't want to miss it !! Ozge Hi Barbara,

This is such a wonderful and an inspring post, I really enjoyed reading it!!

After reading your post, I think that I should give SL a second chance :) I don’t want to miss it !!

Ozge

]]> By: Barbara http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Barbara Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:10:34 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-38 Thanks, Shelly. You are a great example of the student passing the teacher! Thanks, Shelly. You are a great example of the student passing the teacher!

]]> By: ShellTerrell http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-36 ShellTerrell Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:30:44 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-36 This is a great post and you have been a great help as a mentor to other teachers! I was one of those teachers who signed up a long time ago and was scared off by the complexity of it. However, now I have seen so many ways that this virtual learning environment is able to help language learners. I am looking forward to learning the system well enough to help others! This is a great post and you have been a great help as a mentor to other teachers! I was one of those teachers who signed up a long time ago and was scared off by the complexity of it. However, now I have seen so many ways that this virtual learning environment is able to help language learners. I am looking forward to learning the system well enough to help others!

]]> By: Chris Cotter http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Chris Cotter Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:40:20 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-34 Hi Barbara, What a great post! I'm particularly drawn to the connection you make between SL and learning a foreign language. I think most teachers eventually forget on a more visceral level the difficulties students face. Sure we know that language learning is hard. We know that students will make mistakes. We know how to help them with so many of the hurdles to minimize frustration and discouragement. But the basic skills we take for granted in the real world must be "relearned" in Second Life, much like students are "relearning" communication. It's frustrating for so many adults to be eloquent in their native language, yet possess the communicative ability of an elementary or junior high school student. It's good for teachers to remember that level of frustration, as with success comes motivation, energy, and confidence... and that's just as true in Second Life as anywhere. Chris Cotter www.headsupenglish.com Hi Barbara,

What a great post! I’m particularly drawn to the connection you make between SL and learning a foreign language.

I think most teachers eventually forget on a more visceral level the difficulties students face. Sure we know that language learning is hard. We know that students will make mistakes. We know how to help them with so many of the hurdles to minimize frustration and discouragement. But the basic skills we take for granted in the real world must be “relearned” in Second Life, much like students are “relearning” communication.

It’s frustrating for so many adults to be eloquent in their native language, yet possess the communicative ability of an elementary or junior high school student. It’s good for teachers to remember that level of frustration, as with success comes motivation, energy, and confidence… and that’s just as true in Second Life as anywhere.

Chris Cotter
http://www.headsupenglish.com

]]> By: Barbara http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Barbara Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:09:52 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-33 Graham: Thanks for the kind words. Coming from one of my SL idols (Groovy) they mean a lot. When you commented favorably on our practice lesson during VWLL, I felt like I'd truly accomplished something :-) If it's okay with you, I'm going to put a link to your materials on the Chateau de Tuite Ning, too, since that might reach some teachers who won't see this page. ICT4LT is a great resource! Nergiz: Thanks! Without you (and Graham and Dennis and Nick) I wouldn't have had the experiences that led me to think this way. Always in your debt :-) Marcia: Glad to meet you. I've already added you! I'm going to meet another teacher Tuesday at 7 am US Central time. If you're in Brazil, that should be 9 am. If you're free, please join us! Graham: Thanks for the kind words. Coming from one of my SL idols (Groovy) they mean a lot. When you commented favorably on our practice lesson during VWLL, I felt like I’d truly accomplished something :-) If it’s okay with you, I’m going to put a link to your materials on the Chateau de Tuite Ning, too, since that might reach some teachers who won’t see this page. ICT4LT is a great resource!

Nergiz: Thanks! Without you (and Graham and Dennis and Nick) I wouldn’t have had the experiences that led me to think this way. Always in your debt :-)

Marcia: Glad to meet you. I’ve already added you! I’m going to meet another teacher Tuesday at 7 am US Central time. If you’re in Brazil, that should be 9 am. If you’re free, please join us!

]]> By: Marcia Cunha http://www.teachingvillage.org/2009/07/13/why-every-language-teacher-needs-a-second-life/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Marcia Cunha Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:37:57 +0000 http://www.teachingvillage.org/?p=89#comment-32 Carol, as an TEFL ( I'm Brazilian and I've been teaching English for 20 years ) I'd love to know a little more about the community you've mentioned. Can you add me when logged in? Subtle McMillan ( avatar name ) Thanks and keep the ball rolling! Carol, as an TEFL ( I’m Brazilian and I’ve been teaching English for 20 years ) I’d love to know a little more about the community you’ve mentioned. Can you add me when logged in? Subtle McMillan ( avatar name )
Thanks and keep the ball rolling!

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