Called learndirect English™, the downloadable software will enable learners to develop all their language skills through an enjoyable learning experience of real-life situations which revolve around them and other characters living in the virtual world of Velawoods™.
The learners will be in control of how much time they want to spend learning each day with a choice of whether they learn through the evolving storyline in Velawoods, practice their skills on their own, in their virtual apartment using a range of interactive tools, or with other online learners across the world.
Learners will also have their very own virtual teacher to guide them through the course, highlighting and explaining the main language points and rules.
Supported by complex analytics, continuous feedback is provided throughout the learning experience. For example, state-of-the-art speech analysis and artificial intelligence technologies, powered by Carnegie Speech, provide detailed feedback on pronunciation.
A fully interactive feedback report is available to learners at all times and a Certificate of Completion is provided at the end of each course and level which is successfully completed. The underlying pedagogy and learning approach of the product, together with in-course assessments, have been developed by working closely with both Cambridge University Press and Cambridge English Language Assessment.
Hani Malouf, the Project Director of learndirect English, said: “This product is a unique and truly engaging way for anyone, anywhere to develop all their English skills – listening, reading, writing, speaking, grammar and vocabulary – for work, study or travel as well as prepare for internationally recognised qualifications. It’s carefully structured and supported so users can learn on their own without the need for a real teacher.
“Our product is built to be flexible so learners can use it on their PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet and have a go whenever they have a spare 15 minutes. They’ll be able to see how they are improving as the product provides a personalised feedback report telling them how they are doing on different skills and letting them know when they are ready for the end-of-course and end-of-level tests.”
learndirect English also includes several additional features to support learning including: a virtual notebook with all the new vocabulary, grammar rules and phrases the user will learn as they progress; a scrapbook containing additional resources, personalised to the learner’s level; and dictionaries, such as the number one learner dictionary from Cambridge University Press, to check the meaning of words and to hear how they sound in both US and UK pronunciations.
Ken Hills, learndirect’s Chairman, added: “There will be something for everyone, whether they’re a complete beginner or have more advanced English skills, and we expect millions of learners from around the world to get involved in this new way of learning online and enjoy this fantastic immersive world we have created.
“We’re launching with the Beginner level in July and Elementary in September, with other levels following quickly after. Learners in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries will be able to download a trial version from June.’’
For more information on the product feature or to read the pedagogical white paper visit learndirectEnglish.com
Also, to request a sneak peak trial version please contact learndirect.English@learndirect.com
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