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This paper describes the design of MdE on Second Life as a dynamic environment of integrated technologies and its selection criteria, including the pedagogical principles guiding design and practices. Pedagogy is further explored conceptually in addressing language acquisition and cultural immersion within the broader communication\u2019s system of language, images and symbols of the digitalized age. The initial pilot demonstrates that negotiations of meaning and negative feedback intrinsic to virtual interactions promote repair moves. Furthermore, students\u2019 reconfiguring of conventionalized norms of participation results in increased exchanges in the classroom that stimulate student-centered discussions and meaningful collaborative work.<\/p>","DOI":"10.4018\/jvple.2012070102","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2013,2,5]],"date-time":"2013-02-05T17:27:52Z","timestamp":1360085272000},"page":"21-42","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Designing a Virtual Social Space for Language Acquisition"],"prefix":"10.4018","volume":"3","author":[{"given":"Maria Alessandra","family":"Woolson","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Middlebury College, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2432","reference":[{"key":"jvple.2012070102-0","unstructured":"American Council for Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL). (2000). National standards for foreign language learning. 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