GVE Online Education: Reinventing ESL Instruction With Innovative eLearning Solutions

Keywords: ESL, elearning, instructional design, animation, interactives, production, copyediting, design, content development

Background

Golden Voice English (GVE) Online Education has reinvented English as a Second Language (ESL) courses using innovative technology and elearning. Seeking a fresh and engaging way for children in China to learn fluent English, GVE created a web-based platform with curricula for grades 1 through 9. By transforming the method and delivery of English instruction, GVE brings to market a resource that provides interactivity, structured curriculum, and accessibility to fluent English speakers.

Unlike other English language elearning programs, GVE provides a comprehensive curriculum that captivates students with animated lessons and interactive support from teachers in China and access to English-fluent tutors located in North America. Students gain self-confidence in their English language listening and speaking abilities. They can test their pronunciation and speaking skills by comparing their own voices to native-speakers.

KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. partnered with GVE to bring their vision of a transformative elearning solution to market. In just 6 months, GVE went from concept to operational product with KGL’s assembly of creative, editorial, technology, and instructional design teams.

Solution

To provide an engaging way for Chinese students in grades 1 through 9 to understand, read, write, listen to, and speak English, GVE and KGL created comprehensive curricula synced directly to the Chinese ESL classroom curricula. Each grade has two parts and each part has nine units, eight unit assessments, and four “Just for Fun” activities. The scope of the entire project is truly impressive with

• 700+ animations

• 324 interactive listening excercises

• 324 speaking activities

• 252 grammar, reading, and writing exercises

• 72 “Just for Fun” activities

• 144 unit assessments

• 9 midterm exams

• 9 final exams

There is an additional, 3-lesson short course designed to keep students engaged in their English studes over the summer and winter breaks. The short course content covers the less academic topics of travel, culture, and leisure-time activities.

With deep experience in full-service development for ESL, ELT, and World Language products, KGL gathered a team of writers and editors to support the project. Sample content was conceived, written, and sent to GVE for review. Simultaneously, instructional design and technology teams in KGL’s digital learning division prototyped and presented animations and interactives to bring the developed content to life.

Results

KGL brought together a global team of subject matter experts, experienced writers, instructional designers, creatives, and technologists to work with GVE in support of its groundbreaking and comprehensive ESL program in China. Weekly classes are now provided using graphics and animation that make learning fun while following the Chinese school system’s educational approach.

KGL’s editorial  and digital learning gurus created plot-oriented, character-based, storytelling instructional materials that are changing the way Chinese school children learn English and prepare for the English section of the Zhongkao exam. The pedagogical approach for online learning produced by GVE, provides an interactive technologic application that enhances listening and speaking skills and is already receiving industry accolades and media attention after just a few months on the market.