Things you can do on the BritishCouncil Isle in Second Life

Meet other people and practise English together Go on a tour of the island

Explore the island and discover interesting places Language learning quests

Take a class or attend an event on our island Ride on the London Eye

Come and join us today http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/second-life

Getting started

Do you have a computer that can run the software?*

Before you start, you should check to see if your computer can run the software. You will need:-

High speed (ADSL or cable) Internet connection A computer that is less than 3 years old A good graphics card in your computer

You can check the requirements here: http://secondlife.com/support/system-requirements

Creating an account

Do this before downloading the software.

Once you have checked your computer can run Second Life, then you can create an account. Follow these steps to do so.

1) JoinClick on the Join Now button at http://www.secondlife.com

2) Choose an avatarSelect an avatar to represent you in Second Life. Don't worry about clothes – you can change everything later

3) Choose a usernameSelect a username you will use to log into Second Life

4) Add information about youAnswer a few questions about yourself

When you've finished, click the button 'Create Account'

5) Choose the free account optionSecond Life is completely free, unless you want to earn money and own a home of your own. You don't need this to learn English in Second Life.

6) Your account is now activated

Installing the software

If you click on the orange button after creating your account, the software will be installed automatically.

Alternatively, you can download the software later from the website here:

http://secondlife.com/support/downloads

Logging in to Second Life

In the bottom right-hand corner, enter your username and password and click the ' Log in' button (above)

The first time you enter Second Life, you have to agree to the Terms of Service (above). Click the box and press 'continue'. Well done! You're now in Second Life.

Avatar basics

The first place you will find yourself is at the Second Life Welcome Island

Follow the instructions and spend some time learning how to move your avatar and how to use the Second Life interface.

You will learn how to:-

Walk Zoom Chat Sit Fly

You will need from 30 minutes up to an hour for this.

When you are finished, then you can leave and find the BritishCouncil Isle.

Finding the British Council Isle

There are two ways you can find the BritishCouncil Isle

i) Finding a place inside Second Life

You can use the search function (top right) to find a place to visit.

Type in BritishCouncil Isle and you'll see this:-

Click on the 'Teleport' button and you'll be transported directly to our island.

ii) Logging in

You can also go directly to a place when you log into Second Life.

In the bottom right-hand corner, after you enter your username and password, change the information in the last box ('Start at:')

Choose <type region name> and enter the following:

BritishCouncil Isle *

* Please note, there is no space between the words British and Council

Learning more

You can continue your Second Life training at the Orientation Station on the British Council Isle.

Follow the signs at the Arrivals Area which say 'Are you new here? Walk this way'.

Alternatively, you can teleport directly there by clicking on this link:http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/BritishCouncil%20Isle2/17/125/39

Looking forward to meeting you

on the BritishCouncil Isle in Second Life!