Originally posted by Lilian Lim on March 25, 2019
Mastering a new language in a classroom but without having extensive immersion in its culture has always been a challenge for the average language learner. It would be difficult to use the language idiomatically because of the complex interaction between lexis, semantics, grammar, pronunciation, and context. As an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher and teacher trainer, I have tried to compensate for this with classroom simulations and role-plays so that learners can practice the language elements they have learnt in these learning scenarios. But to further augment the learner’s immersion in a wider variety of English language contexts and scenarios, he needs to be able to find relevant real world content that is appropriate to his proficiency level. Searching for such content will be a huge challenge for the average language learner as he does not yet have the linguistic facility to search them for himself. And he could consequently become discouraged or bored by discovering content that is either too difficult or too easy for him. As an educational technologist, I have therefore designed a mobile game app, Scenematiq that can pull bite-sized content like news reports, podcasts, video clips and microblogs from the immense resource of content available on the English Internet, curate them by proficiency levels and match them with a learner’s proficiency level.
Introduction to Scenematiq
Watch this explainer video and then try out the prototype of the app Scenematiq on your mobile phone (designed for iPhone 6).
Scenematiq is a graded scenario-based English language learning mobile game which is designed with algorithims that enable learners to access scenarios or Scenes curated by category, topic, theme, language skill and proficiency level according to the Common European Framework Reference for Languages (CEFR). The scenes can be pulled by the learners according to their learning preferences and machine learning or they can be pushed to the learner by learning analytics and algorithims.
Scenes for Language Learning
This mobile language learning app is gamified and uses microlearning principles for the delivering of the content in 5 to 10 minute bite sizes called Scenes. They are accompanied by pre- and post-instructional materials that are just sufficient to build incremental mastery at that proficiency level. The app is accessible anytime and anywhere, whenever the learner has a specific contextual language need, whenever he wants to explore a new topic or whenever he just wants to increase his personal proficiency. Mastery of each proficiency level is the end goal and gamification drives the learner to achieve it.
Scoring and Levels
Learning goals can be set by the learner and/or by his own classroom teacher. Classroom teachers who employ this app can help set learning goals for their learners based on their placement tests, recent classroom assessments (if any) and the time they are willing to apply to their learning. Scenematiq keeps score of the Scenes studied, time taken to complete each scene, the total time studied each day, the number of days since starting the app, the points earned after the completion of each scene, and the proficiency level attained. All these scores will keep the learner motivated to achieve his learning goal as he earns points and levels up. Individuals can climb leaderboard positions as their scores add up. More lessons are unlocked at discounted prices as the learner’s levels increase in this freemium model.
Social Learning
Cooperative learning as well as competitive learning are also afforded in this app. Learners can team up to study Scenes together by categories to outdo rival teams. Learners can play against each other and have their scores displayed against other high scorers on leaderboards. Additional points can be scored when learners make spoken or written comments about the lessons they learnt. They can use apps like Flipgrid and Voicethread to record their comments for other learners to comment on. The more the learners use the language, the more immersed they will be in that language environment. Learners can also rate and recommend Scenes that they have visited. This will help other learners to find valuable Scenes and assignments for their own learning journeys. With the help of algorithims, new lessons are proposed to the learner when he selects the button ‘Try my (the app’s) suggestion’. These proposed lessons are based on the learner’s cumulative performance and his learning preferences. If he has been focusing too much on writing and choosing Scenes from a narrow range of topics, a new set of Scenes will be pushed to his feed.
Types of Scenes available
Arts and Culture
- learners explore different world cultures through articles, news reports, videos, interviews
- learners visit art galleries virtually and learn about the art work and artists
Business
- learn the language of business through business training videos and business news
- learners can ‘tour’ local businesses and learn the language used in different careers
- learners listen or watch interviews with business people talking about their work
Education
- learners find out about education systems and educational disciplines
Entertainment
- learners read and watch entertainment news, award shows etc
Finance
- learners acquire financial literacy and language used in banking, budgeting, credit, taxes
- assignments can include life scenarios where they must manage their finances and construct budgets in English
Health and Lifestyle
- learners are exposed to language needed when seeing a doctor
- learners explore different kinds of nutrition and lifestyle choices
History
- learners explore local and global history through museum visits, web articles, podcasts
Science and Technology
- learners explore local ecosystems, natural environments, scientific principles, lab experiments
- linked to Science Centres in the city or around the world
- learners are exposed to developments in technology
Sports and Recreation
- learners view sports news, learn how to play a sport
Travel and Food
- learners explore different countries and ‘try’ different cuisines
Sources of online information for ESL learners and what they are suitable for:
- TED Talks – listening practice, note-taking, launching discussions
- BBC Learning – listening practice, note-taking, launching discussion
- BBC Learning English at Work
- Simple English Wikipedia – reading practice, report writing
- Voice of America Learning English – listening practice, note-taking, launching discussions
- Many Things – listening and speaking practice
- New in Levels – listening practice, note-taking, launching discussions
History
- learners explore local and global history through museum visits, web articles, podcasts
Science and Technology
- learners explore local ecosystems, natural environments, scientific principles, lab experiments
- linked to Science Centres in the city or around the world
- learners are exposed to developments in technology
Sports and Recreation
- learners view sports news, learn how to play a sport
Travel and Food
- learners explore different countries and ‘try’ different cuisines
Sources of online information for ESL learners and what they are suitable for:
- TED Talks – listening practice, note-taking, launching discussions
- BBC Learning – listening practice, note-taking, launching discussion
- BBC Learning English at Work
- Simple English Wikipedia – reading practice, report writing
- Voice of America Learning English – listening practice, note-taking, launching discussions
- Many Things – listening and speaking practice
- New in Levels – listening practice, note-taking, launching discussions
Summary
Scenematiq is Flexible: Content can be accessed any time and any place through a mobile phone or tablet Social: Friends can play with or against each other and have their scores displayed against other high scorers on leaderboards. Open: Unlimited number of participants on a journey; connect and compete with anyone around the world
I have only one objection to the theory: from what I gather, the more students have to use a foreign language, the better their language proficiency is. Call it a problem-solving approach or DIY education, the practice has made perfect for eons. Therefore, I would expect my students to look for the material in the target language by themselves. And I am totally for different activities/tasks so students do not get bored, just like the author suggested in the practical part of the post. Mix grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation work with speaking, listening, reading, and writing, add topics important for students, and you as an ESL teacher will be fine
Originally posted by Kat
Hi Lilian. I really like your idea of Scenematiq. What resonated with me was your statement on learners becoming discouraged or bored by discovering content that is either too difficult or too easy for them. I think it’s so important to teach within an individuals ZPD, otherwise you see students act “uninterested” when really it is either too difficult or too easy. The reason I created my A3 “Caregiver” app was specifically what you had identified in your video- people are overwhelmed with the amount of information available on the internet. While variety is great, it is difficult to know what is helpful, and what is not. Something else I connected to was your first step of assessing learner-proficiency level. It’s so important to know where learners are beginning to know where to take their individualized learning. Great tag line “you can learn in the real world anywhere, anytime with your friends.” While I liked the idea of the prototype, I’m not sure if the videos were supposed to work—because they didn’t seem to work on my iPhone. Also, while I like your idea, I believe there is something very special about experiencing things first hand, versus watching a video of it. Perhaps using the mobile aspect of Virtual Reality could maybe add more dimension to your proposed app? Overall, great work!