Video games and second language acquisition

哥白尼工作室公司(CSI；Halifax，NS)正在开发破坏语言的语言游戏软件，帮助人们学习新的语言。兰加使用先进的语音识别和高端动画来创造独特而引人入胜的游戏体验。然而，LANGA不仅仅是闪光灯--它是与达尔豪西大学的神经认知成像实验室(NCIL)合作开发的。这种产学研合作关系的建立是为了确保培训计划得到第二语言学习研究的指导，并确保LANGA的有效性在实验室得到验证。在NSERC Engage基金的帮助下，该团队开发了一个概念验证原型，并证明了它在教授人们一门新语言的基本词汇方面是有效的。在该项目的下一阶段，该团队将完成必要的研究，以创造出一款面向市场的产品，并在推出后继续提高效率，利用从数千名在线用户那里获得的“大数据”。该项目将追求以下目标：1)确定使用自动语音识别技术教授词汇和语法的最有效的游戏、内容和课程；2)确定人们的语言学习能力的差异，以及我们如何根据个人的需求和能力定制培训；3)开发大数据分析，使我们能够从基于实验室的研究扩展到从数万用户的在线数据收集和分析的快速迭代周期；4)描述与语言学习成功有关的大脑信号，目标是开发一种用于语言培训的脑机接口。语言自学全球市场的价值估计为320亿美元，第二语言培训对加拿大人和新移民在全球经济中的成功越来越重要。这项研究将有助于开发一个由加拿大大西洋公司拥有和运营的在线、高效的第二语言培训平台。

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.