World wide English Education group, Cypris chat!

1. cool
Cypris
Magazine
Volume 2 - September 2010

2. Chat?
INTORODUCTION
Wh at is C ypris
Cypris Chat is a not-for-profit virtual world English
language learning community located on Cypris Village III
island in Second Life. Cypris Chat is not a school, however
we offer “practice times” in the form of organized lessons,
discussions, chats, events, and activities. We have a strict
policy for maintaining peace in our group, and ask our
members to be as active as possible in order to encourage
communication within the family. Come see for yourself
just how exciting this new way of learning can be. Join
Second Life at http://secondlife.com and then teleport to
Cypris Village III.
Visit our website at:
http://cyprischat.org/
-2-

3. CONTENTS
Cypris C
hat Maga
zine
Featured Articles Words from worlds -
p4
-p7
Cypris Village Photos
Interview : Mystie Slade pp 5-6
We are talking about reading circle with Mystie, Featured Spots -p8
who is an excellent reading circle leader. She The Family - p11
gives us chances to read and talk about the stories
every week. Donations - p14
Cypris Chat Activities pp 9-10 Credits - p15
Every week there is something fun to do at Cypris
Village. In this article, We talk about DJ hosting
and activities at the Tiki Bar.
Featured Villagers pp 12-13
There are two brilliant villagers who have improved
their English better and made many sweet friends
at Cypris Chat. Let’s talk about their story!
-3-

4. 我很喜欢Cypris,在这里你
可以认识来自全世界的朋
友和练习英语
Leee Megadon (China)
Amal Cliassi (Saudi Arabia)
Cypris is el mejor sitio para
aprender ingles en SL! Muchismas
gracias a todos los profesores,
sin ellos esto no seria lo mismo.
Saludas. (Spain)
Yomisma Aura (Spain)
Cypris — это место, где Вы
можете встретить интересных
Cypris Chatは、 людей и попрактиковать Ваш
世界の английский язык.
人々めぐり合い、
ボイスチャット Kedo Dawodu (Russia)
できる
セカンドライフの
中では
数少ない
場所です.
(Japan)
Showshow Second life helps me
내가 사랑하는 많은 사람들이
있는 곳. CYPRIS. 난 이곳에서
Camel learn new things,
영어와 사람의 정을 배운 것 같 be creative, meet
다. new people and
Ann Queenstown (Korea) help in ways I never
expected.
PinkSamurai (Egypt)
Words from the world!

5. Interview : Mystie Slade
Mini Reading Circle was formed after Professor Merryman made the real Reading Circle class earlier this year. There are 6 different roles for
participants. Every week we read a short story and prepare in advance for a 5 minute presentation according to each role, then discuss it.
Talking about
Reading
Circle
Sitting around and talking about weekly story
How can we make the activity a better
experience? What do you think will attract good
speakers of English to participate?
We are doing great so far, but if anything, I hope
to see people stop typing in local chat when Hmmm. I only wish for members
Reading circle leader Mystie at Cypris to join who really love reading and
someone is reading or speaking because we get
What do you like most about the members distracted. I prefer everyone uses text chat only participateing actively.
who come to Mini Reading Circle? when really necessary.
Do you think you can find a solution
I like everyone because they are all motivated Do you think reading stories is helpful to to a larger number of participants?
and enjoy participating. I am really happy to those who have just started to learn English?
have people who are committed. It is interesting We have a limit of only 5-6 people
to learn different ideas and opinions, too. I don’t think this activity is for absolute beginners maximum in one group. That is one
because they can neither understand the story of the reasons why I don’t advertise in
nor say what they want to say. I do try to find notices. We only have 5-10 mins per
stories with audio recordings so that we can person, but actually we spend15-20
listen and understand easier, though. I hope it mins in each discussion. Everyone
helps. should have enough time to speak, so
time is limited. Hopefully someone else
will start their reading circles at different
times/days in the near future.
-5-

6. Reading Circle (cont’d)
What advice would you give to those who
organize such activities in SL?
I’m not an expert. I can only say that you need
to be patient and be open minded. Professor
told me on the first day to keep a smile on my
face while leading a class. ;)
What do you think about observers, how
can you help them to participate in the
activity?
If they are interested, they can sit around us
and listen to what and how we are doing. They
are also welcome to join in the discussion when
we start talking.
What is your greatest joy before, during and Join us in the secret garden every Wednesday from 5:00-6:30 AM (SL time PDT)
after Mini Reading Circle started?
Before I started this activity, I was worried at first The Reading Circle
because I didn’t know how many people would
like to join. Then after attending the Reading Everyone must read the story assigned for that week. Each person is
Circle organized by Professor, I thought I could given a role to present at the next class. These can be: Discussion Leader,
do something because it was really fun. I Summarizer, Word Master or Grammarian, Passage Person, Connector, or
am very happy to see people keep attending Culture Collector. When the class meets the following week, each person
this activity every week, and enjoying it. My has 5-10 minutes to present their role to the class.
only concern now is how to keep finding good
stories. Role based langusge learning is a fantastic way to incorporate reading,
writing, listening, and speaking...and it’s fun!
Thank you very much everyone. :)
Professor Merryman
Interviewed by Cata Charisma
-6-

7. Welcome Area Reading Circle
Tiki bar
Cypris Village III
Chat Ring

8. The Welcome Area The Chat Ring
This welcome area screams “summer camp” All the free classes (yes, FREE!) are held
with the log chairs, wood plank flooring, log in the Chat Ring. It’s a simulated outdoor
handrails, and the community’s official flag. classroom where students and observers
Visitors get the rustic feel the moment they attend classes given by the tutors. There’s
teleport to the sim. An introduction of Cypris no fixed curriculum. Most of the lessons are
Village and other helpful information are for intermediate and advanced learners,
posted in this area. There are volunteers considering the English level of most
who receive visitors and help out newbies attendees who come frequently. These
with their voice chat settings. sessions last for about two hours and
sometimes there are group trips with the
tutors to other sims after class.
The Reading Circle
Every Wednesday, a group of ESL students The Tiki Bar
gather at the Secret Garden for a reading
and sharing session called the Reading The resident DJ/tutor, DukeVan Acker,
Circle. The group reads a story and each hosts chat parties every Sunday at the Tiki
of its members has an assigned role in the Bar. And Himiko Allen hosts Idiom Practice
structured discussion that follows. Although sessions on Fridays. These are both great
this activity is intended for ESL students, ways for us to meet friends and learn
casual observers are always welcome. something at the same time.
a
INTERVIEW SECTION
Featured Spots -8-

9. Cypris Chat Activity
Duke’s DJ night on Sundays
By Curtis Deezul
Every Sunday, Cypris Chat
members get the groove in their
heart as DukeVan Acker plays
excellent music that really livens up
the tiki bar.
The DJ sessions are a great
opportunity for Cypris Chat members
to get their dancing shoes on and
boogie on down. Sometimes to mix
things up (much like a cocktail you always
may want to have) these DJ sessions wanted to wear! The tiki
strengthening
are themed. You can really go to bar has an excellent array of dance
their strong bonds while at
town creating a crazy avatar and moves available so you can easily
the same time giving them an
who knows you might not look out find something that suits your mood
opportunity to practice their
of place! It’s also a great chance to and the music. Plus there’s nothing
English skills. But of course
improve on your own avatar with stopping you from dressing up as
you don’t have to dance,
some ideas you may have never Michael Jackson and doing the moves
you can sip a nice Martini or
thought of. Now you finally have an like the master himself.
juice beverage of your choice
opportunity to don that Elvis costume
at the bar whilst soaking in
you’ve The DJ sessions also allow Cypris
the atmosphere and maybe
Chat members to mingle and to
trying to casually join in on the
really get to know each
amusing conversation .Or you
other, further
can just sit down, close your
-9-

10. The DJ sessions are an
awesome way to introduce
new members to Cypris Chat.
It will certainly be a first day
to remember. The music will
provide an excellent ice breaker.
It also shows new members that
Cypris Chat is a relaxed and
friendly place. This encourages
communication.
The brilliant sessions start on
Sundays from 6:00 AM SLT to
8:00 AM ALT an announcement
will happen regarding the theme
is also a great conversation topic. so that you can get an amazing
eyes and let the excellent music do
The atmosphere is always lively and avatar prepared and to “wow”
the work .
buzzing with enjoyment. How about your fellow Cypris Chat members.
putting on the midnight setting whilst
The DJ sessions are a great way
Duke plays a chilled out tune and
to meet new people, and when the
dance with your favorite Cypris Chat Check the calendar for all
alcohol is flowing you may see a
member? Now that’s a great photo upcoming activities. Go to:
side of them you never thought you’d
for the album!
see! This provides for entertaining
http://cyprischat.org
conversation in the morning…
If you are feeling competitive, why
assuming you can remember the
not have an arm wrestle?
excellent night you had!
The sessions allow an open door to
discover new music from different
countries and cultures. This is good
for everyone as it
- 10 -

11. is Chat Family!
We are theCypr
- 11 -

12. Featured Villager
leee Megadon
My name is leee
Cypris is a very international
community too. People can
Megadon in Second Life. learn something more than
I’m from China. I have been English and know how to
in Cypris Chat for more than get along well with people
one year. Looking back, from different countries
I have had a lot of fun and and backgrounds. You can
had many good times. make some connections
with those countries and of
Cypirs Chat is a totally great course you can get knowledge
place. It’s a place where you about those countries as well.
can meet great people and So I really appreciate that we
exchange and share your have this kind of environment
thoughts in English. It’s and hope everyone reading
likes a family. The first time I this magazine will join Cypris
came here I could just speak Chat right now!
a little English and now
my English has improved
tremendously because of
the most talented tutors
and learners in the world. leee Megadon
- 12 -

13. Featured Villager
cacy Karu
Hello, everyone. far away feeling of being a
college student. It was a really
enjoyable and pleasant time for
I’m very happy to have this me. Therefore, I’ m still a member
opportunity to talk about my of the mini reading circle at Cypris
experience at Cypris Chat. It Chat with Lee, Pink, Cata, Ann,
was Kazy Dover who brought Mystie and sometimes Ivory.
me to Cypris Chat the first
time. She is really a nice girl. I enjoy this virtual world deeply in
After all, she is my niece in RL. my mind along with my husband.
I’d like to sincerely say thank you
I have met many friends here. to all members of Cypris Chat.
They are all kind, respectable, Thank you!
mischievous and fun.
My brightest memory here is
joining a reading circle class,
organized by Professor, with
Mystie, Himiko, Christine,
Vamp and Ann. cacy Karu
Actually, it was hard to finish
the weekly assignments in
time for class. It made me
recall a
- 13 -

14. Donations
Cypris Chat is supported solely by donations from our members.
Its growth and prosperity depend entirely on volunteer efforts and monetary support.
Each month we must pay for our virtual real estate, something
like hosting fees similar to a website, to the amount of $125.00
USD/mth. We must also pay for the website’s hosting, currently
$20.00 USD/mth. We also pay for activities and events,
donations, rewards and incentives for our active members,
plus various costs related to maintaining growth including
advertising, statistical analysis, as well as formal presentations
and workshops given which help to spread the word of virtual
world language learning. Any support we receive will be
greatly appreciated.
- 14 -

15. Now,
I can REST!
←Ann Queenstown (man)
lol
Magazine Staff!!!
Article Writers Content Advisors
Ivory ishelwood Kazy Dover
Cacy Karu Amal Cliassi
Curtis Deezul
Mystie Slade
Chief Editor
Leee Megadon Ann Queenstown
Cata Charisma
- 15 - And a little help from Professor Merryman...:-)