Children's Entertainment Veterans Bring 'Language Learning For Kids' Into The 21st Century ('Spoken World' Partners With Speech Recognition Technology Leader To Create Accompanying Toy Line)

    SANTA MONICA, CA, June 01, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Spoken World LLC, the educational media company founded earlier this year by children's entertainment vets Steve Waterman (Alvin and the Chipmunks & Stuart Little 1 and 2) and Kevin O'Donnell (PBS' Liberty's Kids), announced the launch of the Spoken World Language Learning System, the first global, multi-platform, language education program exclusively for kids. Based on five key principles - Enhancement, Engagement, Interactivity, Socialization, and Context, the system is the first to combine trans-media storytelling with emerging technologies, for use in the classroom, the home, and via mobile. The Spoken World Language Learning System incorporates an online virtual world, an animated TV series, a CGI DVD feature, mobile applications, and a collection of interactive plush toys, all of which will function both independently and collectively.

Developed with the help of language education experts in the US and China, the system will debut this September featuring English, Spanish, and Korean, followed by French, Hindi and Chinese (Mandarin) languages. The first two platforms will be "Language Island" (in the US at www.LanguageIsland.com and now in private beta testing), and the toy line, a collaborative effort with Sensory Inc., the world leader in speech recognition technology.

"The educational principles of Language Acquisition are firmly established. The challenge, historically, has been maintaining an ongoing level of engagement and immersion over time. We are leveraging our deep understanding of children's entertainment to develop a unique system architecture that does exactly that," said Steve Waterman, chief executive officer, Spoken World.

"Language Island" is an online virtual world where children around the globe can engage in interactive games, communicate with each other through safe, multilingual chat, and interact with a menagerie of animated characters in a variety of languages, all the while increasing their comprehension and vocabulary of a second language. The line of plush characters, which replicate the talking animals that live on Language Island, will speak, listen, and respond directly to the child, progressively interacting as the child's understanding increases. Additionally, the toys will be equipped to receive an unlimited number of downloads directly from LanguageIsland.com, allowing the toy's functionality to remain relevant and evergreen.

Jeff Rogers, Vice President of Sales of Sensory Inc. added "This partnership is a unique opportunity to take speech recognition toys to an entirely new level. Our latest advances in microchip technology and audio software will allow us to create a degree of interactivity that has not previously existed. This dynamic, real-time exchange, will aid the participatory learning process by establishing a key touch point that we believe kids will find far less intimidating than current language learning methods require."

The global language learning market is estimated to be over $100 billion, with the children's segment being the fastest growing. "We are filling a void that Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, and Berlitz do not effectively address -- Kids. And our focus is simple: make it as fun as it is effective," said Kevin O'Donnell, chief operating officer, Spoken World.

About Spoken World LLC:
Spoken World LLC is a privately funded, educational media company focused on serving the worldwide children's language learning market. Based in Santa Monica, CA, the company creates and distributes interactive edu-tainment content and systems designed to make language learning safe, affordable, and fun across multiple platforms. For more information visit www.SpokenWorldLLC.com.

About Sensory Inc.:
Sensory, Inc. is the leader in speech technologies for consumer products. Sensory is a VC backed privately held company offering a complete line of IC and software-only solutions for speech recognition, speech synthesis, speaker verification, music synthesis and more. The company's products are widely deployed in consumer electronics applications including Bluetooth devices, telephones, home automation, toys, remote controls, automotive, security, and learning aids. Sensory's customers represent the leaders in consumer electronics, including such companies as Hasbro, JVC, Kenwood, Mattel, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Uniden and Sony. Sensory, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, with additional offices in Portland, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Vienna. Visit www.SensoryInc.com for more information.

Media inquiries contact:
Bill Kitchen
[email protected]
310.476.1700

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