Second Life Certificate in Modern Languages

== Virtual learning made real ==

If you have ever wanted to learn Japanese but have not had the chance to find a course or reach an Educational place in your real world then Second Life has a superb example of Virtual online learning for the Japanese Language.

Japanese is a complex language, containing over 1945 standard Characters in its general alphabet (Ministry of Education, Japan), in addition to two further syllabaries (Hiragana and Katakana), based around an inflectional grammar system. Whilst SL is a tricky platform for language learning, the obstacles of effectively learning this subject can be overcome, particularly where direct exposure to foreign nationals can be obtained at the touch of a button, leading to real-time exchange and a steep learning curve, particularly in spoken and typed language, the initial stages of learning are very important though.....

This platform is very lucky to have real lecturers teaching this subject, one person in particular, Mr Karlingo Lorefield, the founder of "Epithet and Synonym", is a pioneer of teaching this subject within Second Life, and has reached acclaim in the past with both Oxford and Maryland University, where his work was recognised at a number of Anthropology Conferences.

Mr Lorefield States "Learning such a language online is done immediately with the disadvantage in lack of face to face communication or body language, but with appreciation and application towards a students appropriate learning style a very productive learning curve can be obtained. I have been in SL for approximately 2.5 years and have produced 50 students whom have gone on to study at University in their local RL vicinity"