You know the saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.” That was my first thought when I read the title of an article about a new language learning technology. The software company boasts that their new app will help a child learn a new language in one month. Due to the confidence portrayed in the article’s title alone, I knew I had to read on.
The app is called Zangu and is designed by the software company AITeachU. The program is targeted to the age bracket of 3-10-year-olds, though they say children of any age can learn from their product. After reading, I found their technology to be quite different from other language learning apps targeted at children. Most software that I have learned about is focused on grammar and vocabulary development, the more formal side of learning a language. While Zangu focuses on conversational language skills. Through research, the Shanghai-based firm found that there are three distinct issues language learners face that inhibit them from participating in conversations: bad accents, inability to speak out, and struggles with hearing the language. AITeachU found these areas weren’t being addressed in typical language learning software and created an app to teach conversational language skills.
The company claims that their voice recognition software differs from most, as most recognition software cannot detect the voice of children. Their software analyzes voice patterns and determines pronunciation accuracy. Zangu grades a child’s language learning on a 5 level scale ranging from beginner to native speaker. Their character’s voices are human recorded from native speakers, making their product more authentic. Kids are guided through the program by a character named Ai who sends you on a special mission to help her save the planet.
Their teaching methods simulate learning from a native speaker. Zangu doesn’t use letters, but rather focuses on auditory perception, thus improving pronunciation and enunciation. Zangu is currently being marketed to schools as a fast way to help a child be able to converse with their teacher. The company also stated that not only is it great for learning English but also for children whose parents want them to be able to converse in another language.
While I am skeptical of the time frame, there is no denying their product is different from most on the market. I think back to a student’s first day at my school, where they didn’t speak any English. The teacher’s first mission was to teach her the word bathroom. It is situations like those that make me wonder if this type of “quick fix” technology would be beneficial. While it is still important for a child to learn the proper grammar and vocabulary of a language, the most immediate, important skill is being able to converse with those around you. This article led me to think back about our unit on Lingua Franca and the importance of speaking practice and skills. I think using Zangu in conjunction with other teaching techniques, could potentially be a good thing. Time will tell if Zangu is really an effective product in the heavily crowded language learning software market.
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