The interplay of avatar identities, self-efficacy, and language practices
This study intends to examine English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ attitudes toward practicing English in
Second Life (SL) and to unpack the effects of avatar identities on EFL learners’ sense of self-efficacy and language practices.
Nine EFL learners worldwide participated in a task-based course in SL, using avatars to carry out SL-related tasks while
interacting with peers and the teacher via voice chat. Qualitative data were triangulated from multiple sources: learner
reflective journals, a post-course survey, and semi-structured interviews. Three major themes emerged: (1) the effects of masked
identity on learning, (2) the impact of telepresence and copresence on learning, and (3) the perceived attitudes toward avatar
affinity. Findings implicate that the avatar form renders masked identities to safeguard learners’ self-efficacy and empower their
language practices. It also opens up a research avenue on the impact of avatar identities on language learning and teaching in 3D
virtual environments.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.The effects of avatar identities in SL on language education
- 3.Methodology
- 3.1Setting and participants
- 3.2Data collection and analysis
- 3.2.1Task-based design
- 3.2.2Instruments
- 3.2.3Data analysis
- 4.Findings
- 4.1The effects of masked identity on learning
- 4.2The impact of telepresence and copresence on learning
- 4.3The perceived attitudes toward avatar affinity
- 5.Implications and limitations
- 6.Conclusion
-
References
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