Innovation in Online Language Learning Methods to Impact Development of a Nation

•   May 25,2017
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Many entrepreneurs endeavor to find innovative ways to implement technology to foster language learning. They join forces with teachers, universities, and experts in languages to develop new methods and tools in order to make a significant contribution to the field of language acquisition. The emergence of social media, computer video cameras, and voice recognition technologies has paved the way to enhance language learning. Systems provide feedback to users by analyzing their speech, track their progress, and enable them to interact with native speakers.

Advancements in technologies have played and will play a significant part in revolutionizing language acquisition. Gaining language proficiency involves four areas- writing, listening, speaking, and reading- and technology encompasses all these areas. Turning a blind eye on academic research for efficacy and validity of new methods and tools developed with the help of technology can result in downfall of profits. So validating the impact of their products is essential for new entrants to devise market entry strategies and leading market players to gain strong position in the global market.   

Market players also collaborate with governments to reach students in rural areas to enhance their exposure to English language via online language learning systems. Malaysia education ministry has taken an initiative with a focus on rural students. Cambridge Accessible Tests (CATs), an online English language teaching and learning method will be implemented by the end of 2017. This program includes 40 rural primary & secondary schools and was developed in cooperation of Cambridge Malaysia Education and Development Trust (CMEDT). The implementation of CATs will be monitored by a working committee headed by Education director-general Tan Sri Dr. Khair Mohamed Yusof.

Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Education Minister of Malaysia stated that this program will benefit students in rural areas who are less exposed to the language. English language teachers were trained at the English Language Training Centre (ELTC), Education Ministry for implementation of this program. CATs was developed as an additional English language teaching and learning method that involves nine levels of mastery, at the primary as well as secondary school levels. “Students’ English Language proficiency will be tested from one level to another and if they can master all the nine levels, that means their proficiency is very good,” Dr. Mohamed Abu Bakar, Director of ELTC said. “When students have completed the nine levels of learning in primary school, they will start again from the first level in secondary school.” The education ministry expects an increase in the number of students passing the English Language in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination with the implementation of CATs. It strives to raise the bar from 79.4% in 2016 to 81% by 2020.

In its report on the global online language learning market, Research Beam states that the market is expected to register a CAGR of 10.04% from 2014 to 2019. The report highlights current market scenario and offers insights on key market players. In addition, market size forecasts and detailed segmentation are discussed in the study.