On the Effect of Second Life (An Online Virtual World) on Pre-Intermediate Iranian EFL Learners Listening and Speaking Abilities

Abstract

The current study aims at investigating the effect of Second Life (an Online Virtual World) on Iranian EFL learners’ listening and speaking abilities. In addition, the researchers want to find out the different effect of Second Life on EFL learners’ listening and speaking abilities. The participants consisted of 50 pre-intermediate Iranian EFL learners selected from 80 students based on their score in tests. They were divided into two groups, one experimental and one control group. In order to collect data, two instrumentations were utilized, including a speaking test and a listening test. The researchers used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-treatment-posttest sequence. By comparing the mean scores via t-test, the researchers found that there is a statistically significant difference between the pretest and posttest of Experimental group in both speaking and listening. It also showed a significant different effect on listening and speaking abilities. Therefore, Second Life as an online virtual world has a significant effect on Iranian EFL learners’ listening and speaking abilities; in addition, it helps learners learn better in this environment. This environment can also be used as a useful space for learning and teaching of a variety of subjects.