Newcomer is a game designed to immerse learners in a second language. Players use their language skills to converse with in-game characters, complete tasks, and battle enemies. There are nine in-game mechanics that support second language development.
What's the end goal and golden standard of language learning? Human conversation.
In today's language learning market, most apps are gamified flashcard systems that offer the user meaningless points, badges, and leaderboards to make language learning "feel" like a game. In addition, they offer no opportunities to engage in conversation. Newcomer is completely different because Newcomer IS a game that allows you to engage in 100s of L2 conversations.
Newcomer MATTERS because it provides an immersive and engaging context in which meaningful language learning conversations can happen. The average person cannot afford to fly to another country to immerse themselves in a new language, let alone have the confidence to start conversations in their L2.
Newcomer not only offers a low-cost alternative to immerse yourself in a new language, it offers a scaffolded approach to learning a second language. Language progression is tied to in-game progression, meaning that everything you learn helps you in the game. There are 9 language learning mechanics that exist inside a story-drive adventure.
Currently, the languages in the base game will be English, Spanish, French and Italian. The user picks their native language and the second language they want to learn. This is an international product allowing Spanish natives to learn English, English natives to learn French, etc.
Would you play this to learn and practice a second language? Why or why not?
Newcomer : A Language Learning Game
Newcomer : A Language Learning Game
Jeeves
Newcomer : A Language Learning Game