Immersive Engagement for English Language Teaching in OS
The focus of this presentation is on immersing learners in OpenSimulator for TESOL. It highlights the need to incorporate Virtual Worlds in order to keep up with educational needs in conjunction with contemporary technological habits.
(TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Speaker
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Helena Galani / Erlina Azure (Poster Booth #6)
Accredited TESOL/EAP (online) educator, Helena Galani (Dip. RSA, University of Cambridge/UCLES; M.A ELT, University of Nottingham) blends her lessons in immersive VWs for online, flipped and hybrid classes. She owns ELT Treasure Island, Kitely, OpenSim and taught/trained EFL teachers for INDIRE, EdMondo. As EVO moderator and as Speaker, Helena trains language teachers to use Virtual Worlds with Transmedia Storytelling, games and Interactive Scenarios. Helena is EduNation, Second Life/OpenSim resident, CAMELOT.eu Award winner and presenter, actively supporting the value of VWs and machinima to promote language acquisition. With her recent passion for creating online courses, Helena is an EdTech expert using an immersive language teaching approach. As presenter for VWBPE, VRT, NYS TESOL, JALT CALL, SLMOOC and TESOL Greece, Helena highlights the usefulness of designing games, Interactive Scenarios and Transmedia Storytelling experiences in VWs for ELT/EAP.