Investor's Business Daily article "Video Games Aim to Make Difficult Language a Bit Easier" by Sheila Riley:
Taking a cue from much-hyped phenomena such as "World of Warcraft" and "Second Life," teachers of Mandarin — China's notoriously difficult official language — are moving from classrooms to cyberspace.
Educators are finding ways to teach the language through online interaction and role-playing games rather than rote instruction.
One example is "Zon — The New Chengo Chinese." The five-level, massive multi-player online game weaves Chinese history and geography into an immersive environment aimed at middle- and high-school students.
It is a way to transmit authentic language and culture through technology, says Yong Zhao, the Michigan State University professor behind the game.
"Every government, if they are rich enough, will find a way to help other people understand their culture and learn their language," he said.
MSU is working with the Chinese government-sponsored Confucius Institute to develop the game. The organization promotes Chinese language, history and culture.....
Chengo Chinese has it own website.
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