Video games and second language acquisition

Copernicus Studios Inc. (CSI; Halifax, NS) is developing LANGA - disruptive LANguage GAming software to help people learn new languages. LANGA uses advanced speech recognition and high-end animation to create a unique and engaging gaming experience. However, LANGA is more than just flash - it has been developed in partnership with the NeuroCognitive Imaging Lab (NCIL) at Dalhousie University. This industrial-academic partnership was forged to ensure that the training programs are informed by research in second language learning, and that LANGA's effectiveness has been validated in the lab. With the help of NSERC ENGAGE funding, the team has developed a proof-of-concept prototype and demonstrated that it is effective in teaching people basic vocabulary in a new language. In the next phase of this project, the team will complete the research necessary to create a market-ready product, and continue to improve efficacy after launch, leveraging the "big data" obtained from thousands of online users. *This project will pursue the following objectives:*1) Determine the most effective games, content, and curricula to teach vocabulary and grammar using automated speech recognition technology;*2) Characterize how people differ in their language learning abilities, and how we can customize training to the needs and abilities of individuals;*3) Develop Big Data Analytics that enable us to scale from lab-based research to rapid, iterative cycles of on-line data collection and analysis from tens of thousands of users;*4) Characterize brain signals associated with language learning success, with the goal of developing a brain-computer interface for language training.*The value of the language self-study global market is estimated at $32 billion, and second language training is increasingly essential for Canadians and new immigrants to succeed in the global economy. This research will contribute to the development of an on-line, highly-effective second language training platform owned and operated by an Atlantic Canada-based company.*