Thornton Media, Inc., the leaders in "Language Tools for Indian Country", presents RezWorld™,
the first fully-immersive 3-D Video Game that teaches Native languages.
The game teaches spoken language and cultural knowledge. Students learn by playing fun, fully-immersive 3D video games that simulate real life social communications. It involves speaking to "intelligent virtual humans" that recognize the trainee's speech, gestures and social behavior.
TMI has partnered with Alelo to create 3D video games to revitalize indigenous languages.
The technology was developed by Alelo's academic scientists and has been used successfully by language learners. Extensive testing by third-party researchers measured positive learning results (May 2007). Many users rated the 3D game more effective than traditional computer language courses. The game has lesson plans that teaches basic pronunciations, grammar, sentence structure and much more. This is a "serious" game with proven methodology in third-party studies with over 25,000 students. In 2007, Alelo's Tactical Iraqi Language & Culture Training System won the Best Serious Game award at the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge hosted by the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC).
RezWorld™ is based on Alelo's Tactical Iraqi course whose 2008 evaluation outcomes continue to be excellent. The U.S. Special Operations Command found that trainees learned Arabic to an Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) proficiency level of 0+, an ACTFL proficiency level of novice high after as little as a weekof study. Many rate our courses better — and more fun — than other self-study and instructor-led classes.
The demonstration prototype of "RezWorld™ - The game" was unveiled at NIEA 2007 and became an instant hit! "This product makes me rethink language learning. It is no longer a chore like the other programs" said Brandon, a 15 year old attendee. "It reminds me of games like Sims that my daughter plays, except this teaches language, what a great idea!" said Mary, a language teacher.
The pilot was created in the Cherokee language; produced and funded by Thornton Media, Inc.
If you are interested in creating a RezWorld™ version in your language, please refer your inquiry to TMI.
Our partner Alelo will forward all indigenous language contacts to us. Thornton Media
will manage and produce your project with Alelo providing technology services.
Since 1995 TMI has worked with over 100 tribes and First Nations creating custom hi-tech
language tools. We are the recognized leaders in "Language Tools for Indian Country."
For more info, please contact us by email: info@ndnlanguage.com
