The interplay of avatar identities, self-efficacy, and language practices

IF 0.9 Q2 LINGUISTICS

Australian Review of Applied Linguistics Pub Date : 2020-04-29 DOI:10.1075/aral.19032.che

J. Chen

引用次数: 3

Abstract

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.

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化身身份、自我效能和语言实践的相互作用

本研究旨在考察英语学习者对在第二生活中练习英语的态度，并揭示化身身份对英语学习者自我效能感和语言实践的影响。全世界有九名英语学习者参加了一门基于任务的SL课程，他们使用化身执行与SL相关的任务，同时通过语音聊天与同伴和老师互动。定性数据来自多个来源：学习者反思期刊、课后调查和半结构化访谈。出现了三个主要主题：（1）掩蔽身份对学习的影响，（2）遥现和共现对学习的影响力，以及（3）对化身亲和力的感知态度。研究结果表明，化身形式提供了被掩盖的身份，以保护学习者的自我效能并增强他们的语言实践能力。它还为研究化身身份对3D虚拟环境中语言学习和教学的影响开辟了一条研究途径。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Australian Review of Applied Linguistics LINGUISTICS-

CiteScore

2.70

自引率

8.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Australian Review of Applied Linguistics (ARAL) is the preeminent journal of the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA). ARAL is a peer reviewed journal that promotes scholarly discussion and contemporary understandings of language-related matters with a view to impacting on real-world problems and debates. The journal publishes empirical and theoretical research on language/s in educational, professional, institutional and community settings. ARAL welcomes national and international submissions presenting research related to any of the major sub-disciplines of Applied Linguistics as well as transdisciplinary studies. Areas of particular interest include but are not limited to: · Analysis of discourse and interaction · Assessment and evaluation · Bi/multilingualism and bi/multilingual education · Corpus linguistics · Cognitive linguistics · Language, culture and identity · Language maintenance and revitalization · Language planning and policy · Language teaching and learning, including specific languages and TESOL · Pragmatics · Research design and methodology · Second language acquisition · Sociolinguistics · Language and technology · Translating and interpreting.