Virtual World to Motivate Learning: Exploring Arabic EFL Learners' Views Toward Utilizing the Second Life Virtual Game as a Motivational Tool

Abstract

This study was intended to explore EFL learners’ views toward the use of the virtual Second Life game as a motivational instructional tool, their opinions on its technical use, and any obstacles they face while using this technology. The participants of the study were forty-one EFL Arab students who were enrolled in English language mainstream of the bachelor’s degree at a school of education in the capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At the end of a computer-assisted language learning course exploring the Second Life virtual game, they were asked to complete a questionnaire to gather descriptive data regarding the questions of the study. The results indicated that these EFL learners hold positive views toward the use of the Second Life game as a motivational tool in language learning, although there are some concerns regarding the availability of the necessary technology skills to use the game. The most notable recommendation from the study highlighted the need for teacher encouragement to use digital games to practice the foreign language.

Keywords: EFL learner, views, motivation, Second Life, language learning, virtual life

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/63-06

Publication date: December 31^st 2019