" Second Life" program used in Foreign Language instruction

As I have come to be more familiar with the uses of technology in the classroom having read various articles and watched various videos, I have come to notice that although social networks are touched upon in the use of education, they are not really looked into in depth. In the instruction of foreign language, especially in the United States , it is crucial that students get enough practice speaking, due to the lack of various foreign languages being spoken in the target area for the most part. I feel that social networking sites are a great way to get students to become completely immersed in the language without being in the target country. One very good example of this is the use of the program called "Second Life" in which students can pick any country they chose and virtually be placed there, being able to walk around, sight see, buy different items, and speak to real life people. This completely immerses them into the language and culture of a country while being in the comfort of their own home. I feel that it is important to use more programs like this in the classroom because it is a great way for students to get more hads on experience without going through the expense of traveling to another country.