English learning involves both knowledge acquisition and skill automatization. A learner may acquire a great amount of knowledge about English language and culture, and of knowledge about the world, but he still needs opportunities to use English in order to automatize the knowledge with adequate fluency and appropriateness. The potential of the Internet lies not only in information display, storage, and updating, but also in computer-mediated communication (CMC). The two functions, knowledge base and electronic communication, match the dual processes of English learning: knowledge and use. This paper discusses the development of an English learning Web site which provides knowledge of English teaching and learning, and a WOO (Web-based MOO, multi-user domain Object Oriented) environment for English use. The Web site, ELT in Taiwan, has a Teacher Development and a synchronous WOO, ForMOOsa (implemented with a high school metaphor). As illustrated in this project, it is argued that the design of a Web site needs to address its audience needs by bridging theory and practice. Last, some preliminary evaluation data and implementation details are provided and implications for courseware designers, language learners and teachers are discussed.
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