Blog - Languagelab.com, Life Based English Learning

Donatella Benoir back to English city

Thu 02 Oct 2008 - Posted by ling Markstein - 0 comments

夏末的一天，在英语城购物的时候，终于又见到我最喜欢的英语城居民（English City people）之一Donatella，假期归来的她依旧谈笑风生。话题还是些老话题，但是每次都让我耳目一新。英语城有很多故事，而Donatella总能把第一时间把第一手小道消息传给我，这次她谈到了pebbles（pebbles是另一位城市居民，一个做着好莱坞梦的乐观小姑娘，如果你常看美剧，说不定可以在屏幕中看到她）她告诉我pebbles的小兄弟也要搬来英语城生活了，然后不忘飞短流长的加一句pebbles的小兄弟是大胖子。谈到最后她又要张罗着要给我找个如意郎君把我嫁出去，这个英国妞就是不顾文化差异，每次都是要用结婚的话题开我的玩笑，也不管我都羞的满脸通红了。还好她很快又转移话题说她迷恋的贝克汉姆马上要为她而和辣妹维多莉亚离婚了。在Periwinkles 成衣店门前的Donatella总是一幅职业模特的姿态：）她说自己还在为英语城筹备时尚设计和模特大赛，期待中：）对于Donatella来说蜚短流长都是她的生活方式了，她总能用诙谐幽默和坦诚把说闲话演绎得精彩出色。她还是精明的生意女人，经营这英语城里最大的成衣店Periwinkles 如果你需要时尚、着装建议，一定不要错过Donatella：） The end of summer is the beginning of new season Donatella Benoir back to English city

languagelab.com نظرة نحو أفق جديد للتعلم(1)

Tue 30 Sep 2008 - Posted by Ali Al-Eid - 1 comments

لطالما كان التعليم حاجة لم تستغني عنها البشرية على ممر العصور وتنوعت أساليبه وطرقه باختلاف الأزمنة والحضارات . ولا شك أن الملاحظ لمسيرة التعلم بتقدم الزمان يشهد تطورًا بالغًا من فترات النحت على الحجارة إلى استخراج الاوراق والأحبار والأقلام هذا علاوة على تقدم أماكن الدراسة وظهور المدارس والجامعات وكل أمر منها شهد ارتقاءًا وتقدمًا بالغين .

أما في عصرنا الحالي العصر الذي بلغنا فيه اقاصي الفضاء .. تبرز لنا استراتيجية تعليمية حديثة ألا وهي التعليم عن بعد " من مكتبك ومنزلك " قد يكون هذا الأمر ليس بغريبٍ عنا ولكن التعليم عن بعد هذا .. يستخدم تقنية العوالم الافتراضية ثلاثية الأبعاد .

في هذه العجالة سأتحدث لكم عن تجربة التقيتها صدفة وذلك ضمن تصفحي شبكة الانترنت . وهي تتلخص في موقع يدعى Languagelab.com .. هدف هذا الموقع تقديم الخدمات التعليمية في مجال تعليم اللغات وذلك باستخدام أساليب مبتكرة تتيح لأي فرد من حول العالم الانضمام لها . ويتم تركيز هذا الموقع وتقديم دروسه عبر برنامج يتيح للمشترك الولوج إلى عالم ثلاثي الأبعاد ويدعى هذا البرنامج SecondLife وذلك بعد اجراء مستلزمات التسجيل عبر الموقع . يتم استقبال جميع الطلاب الجدد في منطقة مخصصة لذلك ويتم تعريفهم بالبرنامج والتأكد من ضبط إعدادات الصوت - لمحادثة بين المعلم والطالب والعكس - وإرشاده إلى كيفية حجز الحصص الدراسية وكيفية حضور فعاليات التدريب على اللغة المختلفة والمتنوعة والشيقة أيضًا .ولعل أهم ما يجذب المتعلم في هذه البرامج تقريب العوالم له فمثلا قد تكون هنالك محاضرة في الانجليزية العامة عن كيفية حجز التذاكر في المطار فيأخذك المعلم إلى مطار افتراضي ويتم هنالك استحداث درس . ويتنوع البرنامج بالكثير والكثير من الأمور المفيدة والممتعة وهو ما يتيح بيئة تعليمية لأي باحث عن تعلم أي لغة أخرى بأقل التكاليف.

Languagelab goes Japanese!

Mon 29 Sep 2008 - Posted by Lola Pedro - 2 comments

Konnichiwa!!! Languagelab is proud to announce that we will be introducing a new and fully translated Japanese version of our current website. We now also accept payments in Japanese Yen, so it’s even easier to sign up with Languagelab! To celebrate this, the Languagelab mascot La-la is coming out of hiding. Can you guess what La-la looks like? A cat? A two-legged horse? Do you think you know? Send your guesses as a reply to this blog and the closest answer will receive a unique virtual cuddly La-la just for you! There have been rumours of sightings of La-la around the English city for some time now but no-one’s been able to get a good look. The Languagelab teachers are so frustrated by this mystery that they have offered a big reward for the first picture of La-la taken by a student. La-la is very shy and English City is very large. The last sighting was near the Grammar House but who knows where next time? Good luck and see you soon in English City;-)

New Calendar Feeds

Sat 27 Sep 2008 - Posted by Chris Chambers - 0 comments

New Calendar Feeds

Your Languagelab lesson calendar will now be available via Eventful.

This means you can subscribe to the weekly calender via , , , , and many more.

Repeat after me! Part 2

Fri 19 Sep 2008 - Posted by Daf (Daf Smirnov) - 1 comments

Repeat after me! Part 2

Last week we talked about simple repetition techniques. This week we will cover spaced repetition, task repetition and recycling.

Spaced repetition:
increasing intervals of time are used between subsequent reviews. In order to follow this repetition technique, we can use different recall methods such as questioning, free recall (e.g. write 3 words we studied last week), free association (e.g. what words are related to “clothes”), intellective reflection (Identify the word that does not belong in a category), or prompting using other mnemonic triggers or cues (describing images, matching words to sounds, for example). This is a great technique to use at the beginning of each class to review previously presented vocabulary items.

Task repetition:
including the same kind of vocabulary in different tasks or activities. These different activities can be included in one lesson. In Languagelab.com we have the City People who are always there to talk to our students in the different locations of the town. Sending our students to complete a given task at these locations is a great way to use the language learned with other native speakers who are not teachers. This is by all means the best repetition activity.

When we add previously presented vocabulary to new vocabulary, we are talking about repetition through recycling. For instance, we have presented vocabulary on clothing, this vocabulary can be incorporated, in a following class about seasons (What do you wear in the summer?).

Repetition is important, but it should not be boring!

In this picture we see the students repeating vocabulary already learned. Each student was assigned a pyramid which contained images. They had to project these images and identify them.

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Jessie Teacher speaks at the DRHA 2008

Thu 18 Sep 2008 - Posted by Jessie Teacher - 0 comments

The DRHA 2008 conference at focused on how cross discipline knowledge sharing is essential to the future of digital humanities and teaching. Languagelab as experts in this field were invited to participate. The interdisciplinary nature of virtual worlds is not only relevant to teaching English at Languagelab but to many other communities of practice. Digital art, heritage, 3-D visualisation and engineering, science and theatre are all using virtual environments to create and share content. The use of virtual worlds in education was highlighted as increasingly important and a number of practitioners showcased their student collaboration and creativity in virtual environments. Among the leading institutions discussing their successful initiatives were The University of Pisa, Brunel University and Rezzable, Harvard Law School are now using Second Life as a platform to teach their courses, which are being marketed globally.

The other speakers at the conference also gave interesting presentations, here are some links to find out more about them:

Mike Takeo Magruder

Hugh Denard

Olinkha Gustafson-Pearce

Enrica Salvatori

Stephen Byrne

However there is a stark contrast between successful institutions and others who have established projects that have stagnated due to the lack of maintenance and provision of new content. Indeed, one delegate at the conference stated that many have 'Built very impressive empty spaces'. This differs from others that are breaking new ground and attracting a significant number of new students.

Languagelab was specifically invited to show how the combination of; live actor immersive practice (The City People), classes and full courses combine narrative, student generated content and pedagogy to create a new way to learn language. Attendees were also given sight of of future projects at Languagelab, new courses (IELTS, Business and General English) and even a glimse of a radical new teaching methodology, TRIP.

My visit to Atlantis

Wed 17 Sep 2008 - Posted by Jessica Driscoll - 7 comments

My visit to Atlantis

Although Atlantis is the name of legendary island which was created by Plato's dialogues, I enjoyed visiting it feeling as it was really existed. I visited it with my friend Hoshy two days ago, when we wore our scubas diving to look for it, and search for some new information to solve some questions, and know weather it was imagination as scientists claim, or a truth as the ancients' people believed. In fact, I enjoyed it so much and for a while I felt I was in real life while I was looking for some things to solve my questions.

For example, when I search for the gazebo to find and discover what did people used it for I was really curious to know is it really truth. In addition, I saw the dolphin statue, and it was really fabulous statue which stand on a big shiny pearl, and I was amazed to discover that people believed that touching that statue will make them happier, stronger, and healthier which scientists rejected that belief and find nothing about it. This made me feel more curious to know about that mysterious site.

Moreover, I saw the 'embrace' statue, and I found a new information about who created it and why its there. Furthermore, I knew where the idea of treasure chest came from, and I saw there a red see weed plant and knew that this plant was used to kill the disease of pain. Truly, I wish this plant is really true, and so pain won't be existed anymore in world. Last but not least, I met a beautiful mermaid and talked to her about her life under the water, and she was so cute and helpful.

Finally , it was really fancy visit , and I liked it so much, however I didn’t interested before in Atlantis ancient site, but now and after learning new things about it I so interested to read more about it. In short, Atlantis is very great site and I wish it is not just a fantasy idea as scientists believed, because I believe that a site like Atlantis which confused people and scientist all during the time deserve to be real not only in legendary fictions, but also in real world.

Posted by: Sheera Learner Language Lab student

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Navine Botsatsu's Departure from Languagelab

Mon 15 Sep 2008 - Posted by Shiv Rajendran - 0 comments

Navine Botsatsu’s Departure from Languagelab

We have received a number of emails concerning Navine Bosatsu’s abrupt departure.

Navine Bosatsu was a member of the City People at Languagelab’s English City (Second Life) as well as a real life actor.

Navine was responsible for running yoga and meditation classes within English city and was popular amongst many students. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances she ceased employment with Languagelab.

It has come to light that there has been a misunderstanding regarding her character storyline. Languagelab decided that bringing back the cancer which had previously gone into remission would serve as a suitable explanation for her departure in the narrative. However, it has also come to our attention that a number of students were deeply worried about the condition of the actual actress that plays Navine.

This is an official statement to confirm that Navine Bosatsu’s real life character does not have cancer. We apologise for any misunderstandings regarding this matter.

Please bear in mind the fact that as much as Languagelab strives to provide a broad range of life imitating scenarios, these are nevertheless based in virtual reality and hence essentially fiction.

We do hope that you will continue to enjoy learning English with us here at Languagelab.

System Requirements

Mon 15 Sep 2008 - Posted by susie Q - 1 comments

System requirements

Your computer must meet these REQUIREMENTS, or you may not be able to successfully participate in Second Life.

Next: Use Languagelab in 4 easy steps...

Next: Use Languagelab in 4 easy steps...

Next: Use Languagelab in 4 easy steps...

From secondlife.com

How to use Languagelab in 4 easy steps...

Mon 15 Sep 2008 - Posted by susie Q - 0 comments

Untitled Document

Grammar Girl on Reading

Sun 14 Sep 2008 - Posted by Iffaf Ling - 0 comments

This posting looks at reading skills. When we read a text there are often words we don't know. If that happens it is better not to stop for very long. Keep reading and you will be able to guess the meaning from the context. We are going to practice this skills with the text below.

Procedure: Read it quickly and try to get the general meaning. You will be surprised how many words you can guess. Then read it again quite quickly. Now you will have a good idea about what the missing words are. Then look at the list of words below and you should be able to see the correct word. Fill in the blanks

I __1__ by Grammar Girl in a cafe one day where she was teaching a small class. This was where I saw a rather dignifed, grey-haired student. This was a bit of a surprise to me because he looked much older than rest of the students. He was a gentle-looking person who __2__ his nose as he moved towards me to welcome me to the class. “What’s your __3__?” I asked.
“I'm called ‘Big Old Ted,’” replied the old __4__.
“If you don't mind me _5_ , why are you in the class?” I inquired.
“Isn’t it obvious?” asked Big Old Ted.
“Not really.”
Big Old Ted looked surreptitiously at Grammar Girl and said . “I want to improve my English and learn a bit more and if you __6__ at just the right angle, you can see that Grammar Girl seems to be a teacher,” he __7__.
“But she is a __8__!” I said.
“Shhhh!” Ted responded with the loudest whisper I have ever __9__. “Don’t let her hear you say that!”
I said __10__, because I didn’t know what to say.

stopped ran into went carried
chased bit wriggled lost
breed problem age name
dog cow lady gentleman
asking saying speaking wondering
listen look call wonder
explained asked smelled knew
person female teacher potato
spoken seen found heard
here yes words nothing

Answers: 1. ran into; 2. wriggled; 3. age; 4. gentleman; 5. asking; 6. look; 7. explained; 8. teacher; 9. heard; 10. nothing

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FYI - Abbreviations and Acronyms Part 1

Sat 13 Sep 2008 - Posted by Chris (CaptainJayBird Beck) - 0 comments

Abbreviations and Acronyms Part 1 – FYI

Sometimes when people are typing very quickly, they like to use ways to make the words shorter. We do this in English all the time. In this blog I’ll try and show you the most common abbreviations and acronyms teachers and students sometimes use when they are in their Languagelab English class

What’s an abbreviation,?

An abbreviation is when you make a word smaller. We do this in English all the time.
I’d like a drink = I would like a drink
I’m hungry
Although we use this a lot in standard English, people who type in the ‘chat box’ often use abbreviations.
How r u? = How are you?
C U soon = See you soon.
Ur welcome = you’re welcome
This isn’t good English really, but people use it a lot.

What are Acronyms?
An acronym is a word that is made from the first letters from other words. These are used a lot in English.
UN – United Nations
USA- United States of America
WHO – World Health Organization
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

These are also used in languagelab. Many students and teachers use them so they can explain things very quickly. Below is a list of the most important ones. If you know any more, write them down at the bottom of this blog in the big box that says ‘comment’.

FYI - For your information	LOL- (I’m) laughing out loud	NP – No Problem
FYI – For your information	ASAP – As soon as possible	GL – Good Luck
TY- Thank you	OMW – On my way	BRB – Be right back
YW – You’re welcome	AFK – Away from Keyboard (write this if you leave you computer for a minute)	BTW – By the way
BTW – By the way	SL – Second Life	LL - Languagelab
LM - Landmark	IM – Instant Message	TP – Teleport

There is also a very big list at http://www.abbreviations.com/acronyms/CHAT

Next week: Acronyms Part 2: Emoticons

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WHICH ENGLISH DO YOU LIKE?

Fri 12 Sep 2008 - Posted by Jessie Teacher - 0 comments

Greetings from Languagelab, welcome to our new features:

7 day free trial!

The Grammar House

Easy payment via Paypal!

City people (our new professional actors to help you study in real life situations)

Here at Languagelab we help with every detail in learning English. Our professional native ESL teachers are from a wide range of English speaking countries from London to Los Angeles, Sydney to Southampton and many more. We can help you learn the important differences between different types of English for example*:

*not 100% for all cases, there are some exceptions.

The differences are not just in the spelling but cultural too!

Can you notice differences between British and American English?

Easy? Then take our level test now! Check below for the answers and join our new Myspace and Facebook pages too:

www.myspace.com/wearelanguagelab

www.facebook.com

Search:
“We Are Languagelab”
“Second Life in English City” (Groups)

Don’t forget to try our FREE lessons, we KNOW you will have fun learning English with Languagelab.

See you soon;-)

ANSWERS:
1. USA/UK
2. USA/UK
3. UK/USA
4. USA/UK

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SIMILAR WORDS

Fri 12 Sep 2008 - Posted by Jessie Teacher - 0 comments

Similar words

Did you try our 7 day free lesson trial? We are sure you will enjoy studying at Languagelab. Some words have similar meanings but are used differently like: “go” and “come”

Let’s go to the Grammar House.
You should come to the Grammar House.

Fill in the gaps:

Well done! Check below for answers. Now go and try our level test. Enjoy!!!

New Languagelab features:

Myspace and Facebook page:

www.myspace.com/wearelanguagelab

and

www.facebook.com

Search:
“We Are Languagelab” or
“Second Life in English City” (Groups)

7 day free trial!

The Grammar House

Easy payment via Paypal!

City people (our new professional actors to help you study in real life situations)

ANSWERS:
1. You should listen to your English teacher/ Can you hear your English teacher?
2. Can I borrow your dictionary?/ I will lend you my dictionary.
3. That shirt fits the teacher perfectly./ The teacher’s new hair cut suits him.

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City Update .... Meet Millie Eames

Fri 12 Sep 2008 - Posted by Sally (Salsita Almendros) - 0 comments

Meet Millie Eames and the most comfortable place to speak English on the Internet

Something that many language students find difficult to master is the art of ‘small talk.’ In class we often practice talking about ‘important’ topics, such as politics, science, music and culture. Or we practice more functional language, like checking into a hotel, making a complaint or going to the bank. One thing that is often not covered is the small talk that happens constantly throughout our daily lives.

This is where Millie Eames, LanguagLab’s resident café owner and manager can help you. Millie’s café is just like a real life café. It’s a place where you can go to listen to music, catch up with friends and socialise just like you would in a café in your own country. The big difference is that everyone speaks in English.

Here’s a hint for those of you who are shy about speaking in English. Try going to the cafe and just listening to what people are talking about. Make a list of the things that Millie says when she is greeting people and the questions she uses to start conversations. Then, when you’re feeling more confident try using some of the expressions and questions yourself. You’ll find yourself chatting like a local in no time at all.

Click on the following links to download some helpful reference sheets that you can use if you’re not sure what to say to Millie when you meet her. Elementary reference sheet for Millie
Intermediate reference sheet for Millie
Advanced reference sheet for Millie

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Donatella Benoir back to English city

Thu 02 Oct 2008 - Posted by ling Markstein - 0 comments

languagelab.com نظرة نحو أفق جديد للتعلم(1)

Tue 30 Sep 2008 - Posted by Ali Al-Eid - 1 comments

Languagelab goes Japanese!

Mon 29 Sep 2008 - Posted by Lola Pedro - 2 comments

New Calendar Feeds

Sat 27 Sep 2008 - Posted by Chris Chambers - 0 comments

Repeat after me! Part 2

Fri 19 Sep 2008 - Posted by Daf (Daf Smirnov) - 1 comments

Jessie Teacher speaks at the DRHA 2008

Thu 18 Sep 2008 - Posted by Jessie Teacher - 0 comments

My visit to Atlantis

Wed 17 Sep 2008 - Posted by Jessica Driscoll - 7 comments

Navine Botsatsu's Departure from Languagelab

Mon 15 Sep 2008 - Posted by Shiv Rajendran - 0 comments

System Requirements

Mon 15 Sep 2008 - Posted by susie Q - 1 comments

How to use Languagelab in 4 easy steps...

Mon 15 Sep 2008 - Posted by susie Q - 0 comments

Grammar Girl on Reading

Sun 14 Sep 2008 - Posted by Iffaf Ling - 0 comments

FYI - Abbreviations and Acronyms Part 1

Sat 13 Sep 2008 - Posted by Chris (CaptainJayBird Beck) - 0 comments

WHICH ENGLISH DO YOU LIKE?

Fri 12 Sep 2008 - Posted by Jessie Teacher - 0 comments

SIMILAR WORDS

Fri 12 Sep 2008 - Posted by Jessie Teacher - 0 comments

City Update .... Meet Millie Eames

Fri 12 Sep 2008 - Posted by Sally (Salsita Almendros) - 0 comments

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