Video games and second language acquisition

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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.