New Horizon Teaches Japanese Students English with a Twist
Omar Yusuf — September 19, 2011 — Tech
References: itunes.apple & trendpool
New Horizon is part of a wave of iPhone apps that helps Japan -- a country already heavily invested in language tutorials -- learn foreign languages with ease and comfort.
Despite the accumulated billions that Japanese schools and students spend in order to improve their English proficiency, most can't speak the language even after years of lessons. New Horizon remains the most common English textbook series for students in Japan and the company is using the prevalence of smartphones to provide a new, innovative digital solution. Accompanying the language books is an iPhone and Android app that brings the fictitious character Ken to life. Readers follow the "typically Japanese" Ken through his 15-year stay in the United States, and by pointing their phones at the relevant pages, interactive videos and conversations begin!
As an avid linguist myself, I can vouch that the best way to learn a language is through immersion -- New Horizon uses emerging technologies to throw kids into the midst of English conversations and small talk; this has to be the best solution to language barriers I've ever seen.
Despite the accumulated billions that Japanese schools and students spend in order to improve their English proficiency, most can't speak the language even after years of lessons. New Horizon remains the most common English textbook series for students in Japan and the company is using the prevalence of smartphones to provide a new, innovative digital solution. Accompanying the language books is an iPhone and Android app that brings the fictitious character Ken to life. Readers follow the "typically Japanese" Ken through his 15-year stay in the United States, and by pointing their phones at the relevant pages, interactive videos and conversations begin!
As an avid linguist myself, I can vouch that the best way to learn a language is through immersion -- New Horizon uses emerging technologies to throw kids into the midst of English conversations and small talk; this has to be the best solution to language barriers I've ever seen.
Trend Themes
1. Augmented Reality Language Learning - There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for language learning applications that use augmented reality technology to create immersive learning experiences.
2. Digital Language Learning Solution - There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to develop digital language learning solutions that compliment learning materials and create interactive, engaging learning experiences for students.
3. Smartphone-based Language Learning - There is a disruptive innovation opportunity to develop smartphone-based language learning applications that leverage the prevalence of smartphones in today's society to enable language learning on the go.
Industry Implications
1. Education Technology - There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for education technology companies to develop augmented reality language learning applications that revolutionize the way students learn languages in the classroom.
2. Language Learning - There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for language learning companies to incorporate augmented reality technology into their learning materials to create more immersive and interactive learning experiences for students.
3. Smartphone Application Development - There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for smartphone application development companies to create language learning applications that leverage advanced technologies, such as augmented reality, to create engaging, interactive experiences for users.
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