second life on efl learners’ listening comprehension: motivation and attitude

Language learners listening comprehension can effectively take place by providing meaningful exposure to the target language and culture, which isn’t always easy in l2 listening. various researchers have explored different beneficial call and cmc tools and predicted virtual worlds as the future of this field suggesting the use of the 3d multi-user virtual environment of second life as a learning tool. however, recent research has rarely studied sl and its specific implication for teaching l2 listening comprehension and its effect on learners affective factors, while paying attention to the decisive variable of language proficiency. therefore, the present study investigated the effect of applying tblt in the second life virtual world, on students listening comprehension, motivation, and attitude. the data were collected through 60 male and female iranian advanced learners, ranging from 18 to 25 years of age, in a control and an experimental group. the experimental group (n = 30) received intervention through seven sessions of task training, but the control group members (n = 30) didn’t receive the task training. ielts listening tests, the attitude questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews were used to track the participants listening comprehension, motivation, and attitude. the results revealed the effectiveness of the task training, increasing learners listening comprehension significantly, followed by the positive attitude and motivation of the participants as a result of their experience. the findings were in line with the already existing studies many of which have numerously called for an efficient online platform to facilitate meaningful interactions in educational settings.