Introduction

=DIGITAL GAMING & LANGUAGE LEARNING=

The CALL Interest Section of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL) offers language teachers world-wide the opportunity to participate in the Electronic Village Online (EVO), a professional development project and virtual extension of the TESOL 2007 Convention in Seattle, Washington, USA. The free 6-week sessions allow participants to engage in online discussion and/or short hands-on workshops on topics of professional interest in the field of ESL/EFL.

**Abstract:**
'Digital Gaming and Language Learning' aims to give educators the opportunity to investigate the role of computer games in language learning and teaching. We will be covering everything from:- how and why teachers should use computer games; examining CD-ROMs and online games specifically aimed at language learning; adapting online and console games to the classroom; appealing to students by using classroom materials based on popular games; designing and creating your own games. We also hope the session will lead to the creation of a community of educators interested in language learning and gaming, and will together be building a wiki resource to support teachers and learners who want to use computer games for this purpose. In addition, we will be offering an //optional module// on 'Second Life and Language Learning' ,looking at how this popular virtual world can be used to support language learning and teaching.

**Target Audience:**
This EVO session is of interest to those educators (particularly classroom language teachers) interested in how you can engage today's language learners (especially young learners) through the world of computer games. This session is not suitable for complete beginners. Participants should not be beginners to using online discussion tools (mailing list, forum, etc.) and a reasonably powerful computer (PC or Mac) with good graphics and sound cards will be necessary to take advantage of some of the tools / games we will be looking at (especially important for those participants interested in the module on Second Life ([|http://www.secondlife.com]). A good Internet connection (DSL, cable) is also a requirement in order to take advantage of some of the more graphics-intensive tools / games. We will also be using Skype ([|http://www.skype.com]) for weekly synchronous meetings.


 * TESOL English as a Foreign Language Interest Section and TESOL CALL Interest Section**,

//Optional://
 * Yahoo Group** http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/gamelearning/ - participant discussion, messages (all)
 * Wiki** http://evogaming.wikispaces.com/ - participants will build a resource on gaming and language learning (all)
 * Skype** [|http://www.skype.com] - weekly synchronous sessions (all)
 * //Second Life//** [|http://www.secondlife.com] - optional virtual world for people who choose to particpate

**Moderators**
Information about the moderators can be found here