Very interesting discussion of using massively multiplayer online games (”MMOs”) for language learning.

We picked World of Warcraft for several reasons. One, because it’s an MMO, it’s immersive and social and it elicits lots of playing time. Two, because it’s WoW, it’s popular and well known, with high production values. Three, because it has a highly customizable interface, and we saw potential for integrating translation and annotation features.

This seems worthy of more investigation because WoW play would be great input and interaction because:
1 - it’s highly interactive with potential for a “total physical response” result…you have to do something with your comprehension that has a real-life result (well, OK, a virtual life result, but you know what I mean!).
2 - the focus would be on message not form
3 - it’s fast-paced enough it might reduce response/interactive delays of an overactive Krashen monitor
4 - it’s fun!

Be sure to check out the presentation video and the thesis.