Learning English by Speaking English in an Immersive Online Roleplaying Game

TL;DR

Hodo English is a game-based language learning program that aims to improve children's English-speaking skills through interactive gameplay and continuous assessment.

Transcript

welcome everyone to the second talk in the seminar series on games and interactive media it's my pleasure to introduce today's speaker Dylan Reyna who has a long history deeply rooted in Stanford actually so he did his undergrad here his bachelor in the pollak systems then he went to Oracle as an application engineer for four years and then he came... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 Hodo English focuses on task-based language learning, where children use English to solve problems and accomplish tasks, making the learning experience more authentic and engaging.
• 👻 The program's alignment with Cambridge English curriculum allows children to prepare for English language tests while enjoying interactive gameplay.
• 😯 Improvements are being made in speech recognition technology to reduce false negatives and provide more accurate assessments of children's speaking skills.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Hodo English use gameplay to help children improve their English-speaking skills?

Hodo English uses interactive gameplay where children engage in conversations with characters in English, helping them practice speaking in a low-stakes and low-pressure environment. This allows children to improve their pronunciation and develop their speaking skills while enjoying the game.

Q: How is the curriculum of Hodo English aligned with Cambridge English?

Hodo English's curriculum is aligned with Cambridge English, providing children with the opportunity to prepare for English language tests while playing the game. The program covers topics such as animals, tenses, and places around the house to help children develop a wide range of language skills.

Q: How does Hodo English assess children's speaking skills?

Hodo English utilizes speech recognition technology to assess children's pronunciation and speaking skills. The program listens to children's spoken responses and provides feedback based on their accuracy. However, there have been challenges with false negatives in the current version, which the team is working to improve.

Q: How will the redesign of parent feedback improve the program?

The redesign of parent feedback aims to provide more detailed and meaningful reports on a child's progress and engagement with Hodo English. This will help parents better understand the value of the game and the progress their child is making, dispelling the misconception that having fun means the child is not learning.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Hodo English is a game-based language learning program designed to help children improve their English-speaking skills.

• The program focuses on task-based learning, where children use English in everyday contexts to solve problems and accomplish tasks.

• The curriculum of Hodo English is aligned with Cambridge English, allowing children to prepare for English language tests while having fun playing the game.

• The program utilizes advanced speech recognition technology to assess and provide feedback on children's pronunciation and speaking skills.

• Parent feedback is being redesigned to provide a more detailed and meaningful report on their child's progress and engagement with the program.