My English learning experiences on the "My Happy Planet" website

I have had experiences learning English using Internet technology similar to Almon, in Lam and Kramsch’s article. I have learned English via a website called “My happy planet” before I traveled abroad in the U.S. I am quite impressed by the way a person, using the Internet, is free to create a “self identity.” This can make using a new language less stressful. In Lam and Kramsch’s article, Almon is crossing gender lines, and is taking on the nurturing, supportive voice usually associated with the female identity. This situation produces another “I” – in other words, Almon can speak with more than one voice or persona. Sometimes, I would like to try to be an “ideal” me on the website. In reality, I am still afraid of making mistakes or embarrassing myself when discussing (in English) something I am not familiar with; while on the websites, I could “create” a new born identity. When I chatted on the “My Happy Planet” website, I enjoyed making pen pals who have different habits than I have. I felt comfortable sharing my opinions no matter how imaginative it is since I have built a new social environment. Under this circumstance, I felt more confident in my English, just like Almon, who designed his website and is more willing to share things in English there than in his face to face interactions. Therefore, the computer-mediated forum indeed created a stage for second language acquisition (SLA). Even though some might argue that this is not “standard” English, there is no doubt that it assists English learners to take their language skills “one step” further.