BESA member news: Millions of pupils in Mexico to learn English using the best of British technology.

PRESS RELEASE

An entire nation of children in state schools in Mexico will learn English, thanks to a brand new collaboration between Little Bridge World and Mexico’s Chango Maniaco.

Both companies are delighted to announce the signing of an agreement which they have established with the Organisation of an Iberoamerican States (OEI, Organizacion de Estados Iberoamericanos) that was contracted by the Mexican ministry of education to develop a digital platform to provide English digital materials to Mexico’s students of secondary education in all state secondary schools. As the prime element of this platform the ministry and the OEI have chosen the digital English learning resource: ‘Little Bridge’.

With this forward thinking and ambitious project, the Mexican ministry is providing all children in their secondary state schools with access to the world’s most exciting resource for young learners of English. This cutting-edge and cost-effective solution is designed to ensure that, by the age of 15, children will have a fantastic grasp of an essential language.

The Little Bridge program, now used in over 20 countries worldwide, uniquely draws on an English-speaking virtual community to introduce young learners to both the English language and culture. Little Bridge, with its high quality, games-based technology, underpinned with a strong pedagogical structure, confirms the view that playful learning really works.

Emma Rogers from Little Bridge World said: ‘This collaboration is very exciting news. We live in an age where children are used to virtual worlds and digital games. We offer them the same fun while learning English. To implement our software on this scale, with an entire country’s pupils using Little Bridge, is fantastic and we hope many more countries will follow the Mexican Ministry’s lead and offer their pupils a similar opportunity.’

Commenting on the agreement, a Mexican Ministry official said:
'We are committed to giving every school student the best possible chance of learning English. Our goal is ambitious and the work that we are doing with OEI and Little Bridge is helping to achieve it.’

A special, tailor-made version of Little Bridge has been created to reflect the Mexican school curriculum, with input and support from the Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos (http://www.oei.es/).

The importance of learning English cannot be overstated in an increasingly interconnected and globalised world.

The British Council observes that: ‘The spread of English has been made more rapid in recent years as a consequence of decisions and actions taken by governments.’

Little Bridge World is in discussion with other national governments worldwide, as the drive to create bilingual nations grows.

 The agreement demonstrates that this kind of collaboration can be a great success.

For more information please contact:

adrian.hall@littlebridge.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 8741 3575
Fax: +44 (0020 8741 9851

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Full support for teachers, including training to be delivered throughout 2012, is an important element of this collaboration with OEI and the Mexican Ministry of Education.

Little Bridge World and Chango Maniaco have also agreed to work together to introduce Little Bridge to the private schools market in Mexico.

Feedback from Little Bridge users around the globe is both positive and enthusiastic. A significant increase in student motivation has been identified and teachers recognise real improvements in results, together with teachers’ confidence in using technology, thanks to Little Bridge.

‘‘Fantastic support for teachers and a resource that speaks to children in a digital age!' Anna Kim, teacher, Korea

‘Astonishingly good! Little Bridge looks and sounds very appealing and gives learners opportunities to engage with and enjoy learning. Huge confidence in English came naturally through using this resource.’
Ajay Asim, Headteacher, India

‘100% of teachers mention increase in pupils’ motivation with Little Bridge.’ Eugenia Kostyuk, Little Bridge pilot lead, St Peterburg, Russia

“Amazing! A stimulating environment for learning English. Works perfectly!’ Learning Series Alliance Review, Intel

In 2012, Little Bridge is also being introduced to Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico.

Little Bridge World is a 2012 BETT Awards Finalist: ‘ICT Exporter of the Year’