Speakeasy
About the Speakeasy project
The Speakeasy project is an initiative that aims to foster English language literacy and expression in underprivileged communities worldwide. It involves the development of free and open-source English language teaching software, similar to popular commercial products like Rosetta Stone, that can be deployed on low-cost laptops to schools in third world countries, where resources and personnel are scarce.
The benefits of early English education are potentially enormous. English is a global cornerstone language, among the most widely spoken and widely printed, and is by far the most popular language of the Internet. English language skills can open the door to a vast world of educational opportunity in print, digital media, interpersonal learning, and the Internet. Early development of these skills will enable youth to acquire a strong command of the language at an older age, leading the way to economic competency within the international, English-speaking community.
The Philippine pilot
Speakeasy will launch as a pilot program in the Philippines, where basic English literacy is widespread but fluency and command of the language is subpar. This has resulted in less-than-spectacular scores in the IELTS and other English language tests worldwide, as well as difficulty finding jobs with foreign organizations both locally and overseas.
The pilot will ideally launch in a school whose limited access to educational resources places it at a disadvantage. After identifying a target school, XOs will be shipped to the school with the software pre-installed. Volunteers can then interface with the teachers to determine how best to administer a passive but effective learning program for the children. Improvement in English skill will be determined by administering a test before and after the program, and comparing the results.
Objectives
People
Lester Leong
email: Lester.BLeong@gmail.com