The Open Language Learning Initiative (OLLI) is a leading-edge English learning system providing students with an excellent tool to learn English in authentic situations. The system provides flexible methods of study and varied modes of practice to enhance their abilities. The OLLI project, called The Forgotten World, is designed to be simple and spontaneous with lively characters, a compelling story, and games to make the learning process engaging and fun. As the story unfolds, American culture and some customs are viewed from different perspectives, to serve as a window to American life. The Forgotten World is expected to be complete in early 2009. In the meantime, this web site will serve as a channel to provide updated information about the OLLI project. 

Coastline Community College, endowed with a grant awarded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, has invited leading experts in language acquisition, linguistics, pedagogy, technology and culture to participate in the design and development of OLLI, in collaboration with the Chinese Ministry of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. It is the goal of Coastline Community College to create free and open educational resources to serve audiences worldwide.

 

OLLI is a game-based language learning system that will bring American English and culture to non-natives.  Players will experience a two-dimensional (2-D) game using a voice recognition tool to build skill in speaking English accurately. The game episodes take them across the USA where they learn about the American culture while applying their English-speaking skills. 

The player will experience the 2D anime world from a “first person” perspective.  Words and phases will be modeled for them, in English, and the built-in Speech Recognition (SR) module will measure the accuracy of their spoken response. While advancing through the levels, the player will encounter fun games and activities that will test their abilities as well as challenge their brains.

The game is designed to be as Open Source as possible so that it can be re-engineered to address the need of any non-native population learning English.  Learning objects, tools, assets, and the underlying architecture will be designed with an eye to reusability to teach any language.

OLLI can be used in the USA to help integrate large pockets of immigrant populations, or abroad through the educational system of other countries.  It will become a powerful vehicle for teaching language as well as explaining American concepts about culture, democracy, and diversity.