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Quick Reference List

1What is MyChina Village?

MyChina Village resided in the Adult Grid in Second Life between 2007 and 2009, allowing anyone who is eighteen or older to visit for free. With partners Avant Assessment and Centric, the Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS) at the University of Oregon created this virtual environment where learners of Mandarin Chinese improved their language skills by naturally interacting with other Mandarin speakers. MyChina Village (2007-2009) was funded by the National Security Education Program's Diffusion of Innovation.

2What is Second Life?

Second Life is a free 3D online virtual world. Millions of users around the world visit this virtual world to socialize, shop, explore, and collaborate. See Second Life for more information. For teens between the ages of 13 and 17, there is a Teen Second Life

3I heard of MyChina Village Virtual Chinese Immersion Camp 2009? What is it?

CASLS held the MyChina Village Virtual Chinese Immersion Camp 2009 between August 3, 2009 and August 28, 2009 with partners Avant Assessment, Centric, and Soochow University's Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Program. Click here to learn about the camp.

4I'm learning Mandarin. What does MyChina Village do for me?

Although MyChina Village in Second Life is now closed, MyChina Village Immersion Camp group in Second Life still exists. By joining this group, you will be able to find other group members in Second Life. If a group member is online, you can send him/her an instant message to request to meet, chat, or perform language tasks together.

5I teach Chinese. What does MyChina Village do for me?

Although MyChina Village in Second Life is now closed, our system to support learners wishing to use Second Life for practicing Chinese still remains.

You can encourage your students to join the MyChina Village Immersion Camp group in Second Life, which consists of motivated learners of Chinese and native speakers who wish to help learners. By joining this group, your students will be able to find other group members in Second Life. If a group member is online, your students can send an instant message to request to meet, chat, or perform language tasks together.

6I am a researcher interested in learning in virtual environments. Where do I go to learn your lessons learned?

Click here to access to conference presentations.

7I am new to Second Life. Where do I begin?

Technical Tips for Second Life will provide you with step-by-step instructions.

Copyright © 2009 Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS)