ESL for Our Refugees:
Rosetta Stone Product Extension
Project Team
Machaela Reagan
Project Date
October 2021
Client
University of North Texas
Executive Summary
When refugees and their families are placed in the U.S.A, their immediate needs are met: shelter and food. But what about the other, long-term needs for life in a new country - such as learning a new language?
Rosetta Stone has been building language fluency and helping individuals gain confidence in learning new languages for over 30 years. ESL for immigrants and refugees in English-speaking countries, like the United States, is an area still left uncharted for such an established language program.
This concept project involved four weeks of research, designing, and review with peers.
The Problem
When refugees are placed in the U.S.A, immediate needs such as food, housing, and insurance are met (UNHCR, Resettlement in the US). Necessary screenings and orientations are provided to inform them of what to expect in their new life in America.
Oftentimes, local ESL classes and resources are provided. Yet there still remains gaps between the classroom and real life application.
117.2 Million refugees will be displaced from their homes this year.
The U.S.A is preparing to welcome 125,000 refugees in 2023.
"Many [ESL] students lack confidence when speaking in 'the real world'. They are concerned about fitting in with native English speakers...sounding natural with the right degree of formality / informality.
They've done exercises and drills, but very few, if ever, have had the opportunity to practice before entering the United States.
Some of our students, particularly stay-at-home mothers, are isolated from native English speakers. Refugees and immigrants often settle into communities where they speak their native language."
Jan Hunter
Local ESL Instructor in Mckinney, TX
The Solution
The answer to this gap?
Rosetta Stone Phrasebook.
The Phrasebook is a reading-based resource of basic phrases and scenarios for individuals learning English. However, the phrases are very beginner and the categories are Tourist based rather than Life Skills & Situation based.
Original Design
The Categories available are very limited in the phrases they cover and provide only an audio pronunciation and images to accompany the phrases, which doesn't always provide the best context for WHEN the phrase should be used.
Original Design
The Designs
The new and updated PhraseBook will be offered as a free, six month trial for any and all refugees and migrants that want a simple and engaging tool to supplement their ESL journey.
After the trial ends, users will have the option to register for Rosetta Stone's full program at a lowered annual rate to continue learning and growing their skills! The redesigned extension includes new categories such as Business, and expands on existing categories such as Emergency Situations.
The redesigned extension includes new categories such as Business, and expands on existing categories such as Emergency Situations.
Updated Design
Each module shows what type of learning tools the lesson contains (ie. Audio, Microphone, Reading, or Video)
Users have access to a quick and easy Translator plugin
Users will be able to see how far they have advanced in the Lesson with a progress ring here
Here is an example of what a lesson offers! Users can now interact and 'choose their own adventure' and explore dozens of conversational phrases and responses, and watch short clips that show how their choices would play out in a conversation.
Users will also be able to download and use free templates for any CV, resume, and other job application needs!
So, now what?
In the future of this project, we would enrich this tool even further by:
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Expanding the Course Modules and add more options for phrases and conversation options
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Add more video to each lesson for a more visual experience
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Have Rosetta Stone offer this Phrasebook as a permanent free tool that could be utilized both in ESL classes and public school classrooms. The goal would be to encourage both native and new American citizens the opportunity to learn in the languages of their schoolmates and friends - English or not.