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Learning app created by USF professor enhances vocabulary instruction for dual and English language learners

by Jessenia Rivera

U.S. classrooms become more diverse year after year, and with this growth comes increased needs to support dual and English language learners 鈥� two groups of students who enter school speaking a language other than English.

According to the , English language learners (ELLs) are the fastest-growing group of K-12 students. The NEA estimates that by 2025, their presence in public schools will grow to 25 percent nationally.

This trend is supported by other organizations as well. In 2016, stated that about 33 percent of children in the U.S. live in non-English speaking households, and by far, the Spanish language stands as the most common language.

Having experienced classroom environments with more than 18 different languages spoken by her students, Sara Smith, PhD, an assistant professor in USF鈥檚 ESOL and Foreign Language Education programs, developed an application that aims to improve vocabulary instruction for ELL and dual-language learners (DLL).

The MARVL app, which stands for Multimedia Augmented Reality Vocabulary Learning, allows children to complete their English vocabulary learning on their own while also reinforcing their knowledge of words in their home language.

鈥淢ARVL uses that excitement and fun of augmented reality to build on traditionary vocabulary flashcard methods,鈥� Dr. Smith said. 鈥淲e know that the best way for kids to learn a new word is when they get a definition in their first language. So, MARVL is really here to create a resource for teachers so they could provide that dual-language support.鈥�

Taking on a format inspired by Pok茅mon Go, a popular augmented reality (AR) mobile game that engages its users through interactions with virtual creatures, MARVL feature two virtual characters鈥旾van, a bilingual teenager who leads as the app鈥檚 instructor, and Watson, an assistant sloth who sounds out each word a child is learning.

Dr. Smith said giving Ivan specific characteristics proved to be essential throughout the creation process, especially when she considered the audiences her app could reach.  

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to have one character who uses one language and one character who uses the other because the children using the app are bilingual and they know people who are bilingual,鈥� Dr. Smith said. 鈥淪o, we thought it was better to have someone who actually reflected their real life.鈥�

After opening the application on a smartphone or tablet, students choose a vocabulary flashcard from their designated stack and place it in front of their device鈥檚 camera lens. In an instant, Ivan appears on top of the flashcard and interacts with the user to begin one-on-one vocabulary instruction using child-friendly definitions, animated visuals, sound effects and hands-on exercises such as 鈥渁ct it out鈥檚,鈥� which enable students to perform the meaning of difficult words through body movements. 

Although the app is in the early development stages, Dr. Smith says MARVL will begin with a focus on Spanish-speaking students learning English and English-speaking students learning Spanish. She plans to develop dual-language support for students from all backgrounds and for anybody who wishes to learn a new language. Her next step is to focus on Haitian Creole speakers.

鈥淭he second most commonly spoken home language for kids here in 91社区 is Haitian Creole, but there鈥檚 almost no materials for Haitian Creole,鈥� Dr. Smith said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 next to nothing. So, I think this would be exciting to focus on because it鈥檚 something really specific to what we need here.鈥�   

Unlike other language learning apps such as Duolingo, which allows users to learn more than 30 languages through customized lessons, Dr. Smith said MARVL has some key advantages that make it a better tool, such as its usability for learners of all ages and the fact that MARVL will ensure development in both English and a user鈥檚 first language. She said she hopes the app鈥檚 AR feature will make it more visually engaging for students.

鈥淲e have one (vocabulary) card for the word 鈥榮woop鈥� and we have a picture of an airplane on the card that swoops off and flies in the sky in front of you when you use the app,鈥� Dr. Smith said. 鈥淚 think, by adding the magical fun of augmented reality (AR), we capture some of that excitement that made people go crazy for Pok茅mon Go.鈥�

Dr. Smith says MARVL will have a prototype developed sometime this November. Though she鈥檚 unsure of when MARVL will launch officially, her desire is for the app to be available sometime in 2021 with a subscription service that enable users to either purchase vocabulary cards or print them online.

Her main goal, she shared, is for her app to be used in a way that benefits children both inside and outside of the classroom.

鈥淢y hope is that MARVL can be something that aligns with classroom curriculum, so teachers can say, 鈥業 know what words I have coming up and I know what kids are in my class鈥� and go get what they need,鈥� Dr. Smith said. 鈥淚 also hope that MARVL can be used solo, that a child can take those materials home, work on their own or have fun using the app with a parent. I hope it鈥檚 fun for everyone.鈥�