Virtual reality experience to engage teen English language learners overseas

ATLANTA, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The SuperGroup, a trendsetting web communications agency, has been selected by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State to develop the first-ever, virtual reality English language interactive education program. This innovative learning experience will be geared to teens overseas with an initial release date of September 2010.

The SuperGroup will develop an engaging language-learning website experience that will allow the intended audience to learn English via intriguing characters, entertaining storylines, and real-life situations.

"To make language learning effective for international teens, an enjoyable, and robust environment is needed -- one where they can interact with virtual characters, and learn from 'real life' situations," said Chris Wallace, principal at The SuperGroup. "This interactive experience will allow kids to learn English communicatively, and, equally important, to learn about the positive aspects of American culture. The creative challenge for The SuperGroup is to make the educational process feel natural, not artificial. By placing kids within virtual situations that mirror real life, we'll achieve that."

Website characters might travel to landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty or visit a typical American restaurant to order a burger and fries. Instead of memorizing and reciting new words over and over, teen learners will immerse themselves in real situations and learn English in context.

The SuperGroup's interactive work dovetails with the State Department's English Access Microscholarship Program. To monitor the learners' progress within the interactive experience, the customized language learning platform tracks student progress in various activities, which are then linked back to language learning standards. A national team of applied linguists and distance learning experts, including those at the State Department's Office of English Language Programs, will oversee the content and instructional technology development.

About The SuperGroup (www.thesupergroup.com) -- The SuperGroup is a web-branding experience in adventure and exploration. Founded in 2002, TSG has quickly become a recognized leader in the creative industry, and one of Atlanta's hottest design firms. An interdisciplinary creative agency specializing in interactive new media development, graphic design, and creative consulting, the agency's work has been seen by tens of millions of people. Clients include The Weather Channel, AOL / Time Warner, Amp Energy Drink, Krystal Hamburgers, and Johnson & Johnson.

About the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (www.exchanges.state.gov) -- The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has the mission to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange.

SOURCE The SuperGroup

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