Research Information System
International Conference on Social Sciences – ICOSS Cappadocia, Nevşehir, Turkey, 16 - 20 April 2018, pp.266, (Summary Text)
The purpose of this research is to examine whether Second Life in teaching EFL/ESL
contexts has a considerable effect on language learners’ success in the course of language learning. Accordingly, in the related literature 37 experimental/quasi experimental studies which were conducted between 2008-2018 were analyzed through meta-synthesis method. For this meta-synthesis, computerized databases including ERIC Education, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), Google Scholar, Cambridge Journals Online, and SpringerLink were searched. Literature review was conducted in English by using the key words “second life”, “English language”, “English foreign language” “English second language”. A set of criteria was taken into consideration in the process of including publications for this research: a) studies in EFL/ESL teaching area; b) articles published in print/electronic journals; c) studies including an experimental group and control group; d) studies including some quantitative data. In consequence of the analysis, thirty-seven studies were included in meta-synthesis which met the inclusion criteria out of the studies compiled at the end of literature review. For intra coding reliability, coding process of meta-synthesis was spread over a longer time. Additionally, 10 of the studies chosen randomly were coded by a second coder to ensure inter-rater reliability. As a result of the calculation based on Kappa index, Cohen’s Kappa index was specified as κ=0,84. The meta-synthesis revealed that Second Life enabled language learners to empower language learning. Moreover, it was reported that Second Life enhanced language learners’ engagement, motivation and sense of autonomy by presenting real-life scenarios and making learning more fun and meaningful. In conclusion, it is quite noteworthy to express that Second Life reduces anxiety of EFL/ESL learners and affects interaction and communication positively.