BBC Worldwide Launches Doki®
The Revolutionary Flash-Based
Language Training Software On BBClearning.com
Frankfurt, Germany (ots)
BBC Worldwide is today launching Doki®, the revolutionary Flash-based language training software, on its new consumer e-learning portal, www.bbclearning.com.
Created by BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm of the BBC, this new portal service, BBCLearning.com, will make a select range of online learning programmes available from third party suppliers, including Eazyspeak Ltd's flagship language product: Doki® on www.bbclearning.com. BBC Worldwide intends to promote the online service through its cable and satellite television stations BBC Prime and BBC World reaching 225 million homes worldwide. The courses cover a wide range of topics and are divided into four categories for easy navigation - Business (including IT skills), Languages, Interests (including hobbies and leisure) and Studies (containing many accredited courses from some of the world's top universities).
Eazyspeak Ltd. currently distributes beginner and pre-intermediate Doki® English and Doki® Spanish language learning products with French, World Spanish and US English coming online later this year. Under the terms of the agreement Eazyspeak Ltd will manage the actual logistics. Doki® will be value priced at EUR18, $US 19.99 and UK£12.99. The product comes with a users' manual, a word list and the users can access the Doki® web site to be part of the online language training community. A retail-version of the product on CD-ROM will be available from January 2003.
According to Vivienne Ladommatou, Managing Director Eazyspeak Ltd, "There is a great measure of consumer trust inherent in the BBC name and brand - it is synonymous with quality. We are delighted to be associated with the BBC's innovative new online learning portal and proud Doki® has been selected as one of the few language learning programmes offered by BBCLearning.com. The BBC's selective editorial policy on what is included is a quality stamp for us and we look forward to grow with the portal."
BBC Spokesperson Partnership Development Manager Mr. Mark Cook, BBCLearning.com, "We have ambitious plans for www.bbclearning.com and are confident that, over time, with the development of a series of partnerships with high calibre learning players, such as Doki®, the portal will offer people around the world unique access to a comprehensive learning information service and series of online courses. Moreover, due to the unrivalled reach of the BBC via its extensive network of global channels, awareness of www.bbclearning.com will be able to be generated across the world."
"With Doki® there is no grammar to learn, there are no rules as such and there's no set course you have to follow" stated Ladommatou further. "The whole Doki® experience is empowering because users decide when and where they want to learn. Doki® familiarises you with a language and provides the basics for everyday conversations. Designed like a game, it is be fun and compelling, the premise being that the longer users stay and play the more they will learn."
The initial Doki® product was created by the UK-based interactive publishers Eazyspeak Ltd. together with development partner Worth Media Ltd and leading academics at the University of Brighton (UK), Doki® is a fun compelling and immersive game-like learning platform aimed at both institutional and home learning user groups. Suitable for anyone over the age of 4, the main target audience for the Doki® products are the 16-25 year olds. Doki® is completely monolingual and modular software and is built with scenarios grouped by real life communication challenges found in the real world (such as introducing yourself, going to the supermarket, checking into a hotel).
Doki® can be used as a self-study tool and can compliment a taught environment with a pathway set by a teacher. Users decide what they want to learn by choosing places to explore, becoming fully engaged with the animation and interactivity found in each venue. This unique approach empowers and even entertains users who then quickly begin to assimilate the sound, recognize the vocabulary and understand the structure of a new language, without recourse to lengthy grammar explanations or exercises.
Doki® is modular and is built with scenarios grouped by real life functions such as introducing yourself, going to the supermarket, checking into a hotel. Doki® is completely monolingual, teaching exclusively in the target language, providing the same communication challenges found in the real world. The tailor-made Doki® software is easily installed from the CD-ROM or over the Internet. In a couple of clicks the console, or player, appears on a screen housed with functionality, buttons and icons that are easily understood. The Doki® Internet site contains a language matching and pen pal service, plus other community activities for Doki® learners worldwide to communicate with each other and interface with others learning to speak their target language.
Welcome to "The Future of Learning." Come see DOKI® at the Frankfurt Book Fair October 9 - 14, 2002 on our stand in Hall 4.0, J 1122a.
About Doki®
Doki® is an interactive scenario-based learning platform suitable for any type of learning application. Privately held Eazyspeak Ltd was founded in 1999 by three partners with backgrounds in publishing, television and new media with a common goal to significantly improve learning products and techniques. The Doki® platform was created through the combination of the e-learning expertise of Worth Media, a UK-based new media agency, venture capital and two year's research & development. Spanish and English language training as well as an online language learning community are the first Doki® learning programmes to be launched. Available online and from selected outlets, the online and offline Doki® experience is the same and delivers learning for everyone. French, German, Greek, US English, World Spanish, and Mac-supported versions will be added to the Doki® portfolio by 2003. Doki® is dedicated to making lifetime learning accessible for everyone. www.doki.tv
About BBC Worldwide Learning
BBC Worldwide Learning forms part of Global Marketing and Brand Development (GMBD), the marketing division of BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm of the BBC. GMBD was created to develop key BBC properties with genuine cross-media potential for development into global brands across Children's, Music and Learning. GMBD works closely with the other divisions of BBC Worldwide and with BBC Television. BBC Worldwide Learning comprises three business groups: Children's Learning, Lifelong Learning and English Language Teaching (ELT) and Languages. Digital media, and especially the Internet, is revolutionising learning, giving people of all ages the opportunity to learn whatever they wish from learning providers anywhere in the world. BBC Worldwide Learning will be at the heart of this revolution, a gateway to and provider of learning opportunities that can be consumed through all media at school, home and work.
Contact:
Eazypseak Limited
Robert-Charles Kahn
Director Corporate Communication
Phone +44/870/840'80'48
Fax +44/709/231'10'54
mailto:robert@doki.tv
BBC Worldwide Limited
Mark Cook
Partnership Development Manager
Phone +44/208/433'28'80
Fax +44/208/433'24'35
mailto:mark.cook@bbc.co.uk