A team of eight Microsoft interns inspired from the Microsoft Education Team Challenge to build an app that could empower literacy and English Language Learning (ELL), developed an app named Read My World. Basically, Read My World is a Microsoft Garage project which aims to improve the English literacy skills by building a stronger vocabulary.
Read My World either works as a supplement to classroom training or offers a way to learn some words for those with lack of time or funds for language learning classes. This app uses the smartphone’s camera encouraging users to snap photos of real-world objects they encounter in their daily life. It uses the Azure Cognitive Services API’s to identify the object in photos. It then shows the spelling of the word and speaks the phonetic pronunciation of the identified vocabulary words. The app also consists of three in-built vocabulary games which motivate users to practice newly discovered words to strengthen comprehension and memorization.
This app takes a learn-as-you-go approach; when users encounter everyday objects or documents in their lives, they can use the app to take a picture and detect vocabulary words. The app is limited in terms of replacing formal instruction as it only focuses on things a user sees. As the learner uses the app not only he will master the everyday vocabulary but also gain confidence.
Organizations supporting literacy and willing to try and share feedback on Read My World, should request an invitation to join via a short questionnaire and the sponsoring team will be in touch.
Language learning apps guide you learn a language from start to finish. They help you sharpen language skills that you may already have. Some apps are designed to learn new vocabulary, pronunciation, word games or dictionaries and some are designed as a full course.
When you think of learning a new language the first question that comes to your mind is: When am I supposed to do this? Language learning apps do not have a time constraint. Instead, they provide you with time mobility to learn lessons whenever you get time.