WoW as an effective language-learning tool

I've found an article on the advantages of using MMORPGs as foreign language-learning tools. Among the points stated, these are perhaps the most important for our project:

- In a language classroom, teachers have used role-playing as a means to utilize the new language for practice. MMOs are simply a virtual way of role-playing and communicating in the foreign language.

- Learning language in a social context (pragmatics vs semantics), as traditional learning often does not prepare us enough for how the language is actually used by its speakers.

- Student motivation. It is far easier to convince a student to play an MMORPG for an assignment rather than to memorize information for a test!

- The presence of native speakers. This provides a 'model' as well as a group of interlocutors who will (hopefully) correct their errors. There is still the issue of the language spoken by natives being less than perfect, but regardless, they are people who use the language often.

You will be able to find the article here:

http://www.academiccommons.org/commons/essay/bryant-MMORPGs-for-SLA

Charmaine