I-Eng: An Interactive Toy for Second Language Learning

Abstract

The ideal scenario in language education is children learning new words and sentence-building skills on their own. However, natural acquisition of a second language is difficult, as children have less exposure to a second language compared to their native tongue. One approach to expand second language exposure to children is to introduce include language elements in toys, which are always around children. We propose an interactive second language learning toy named I-Eng to support language learning experience of children. Diverse stories are made by role playing with I-Eng, and the toy speaks sentences corresponding to the situation. By trying out various interactions, children“learn by doing”with context-related words and sentences. We expect the language model to be built naturally inside children’s minds by them engaging in various actions, and observing the reactions of the toy.