About the Project:

Back to School Life is an evidence-based English learning app developed for children transitioning from kindergarten to primary school. This study develops the app and investigates its effects on students’ English learning readiness amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. A competency assessment at the start allows children to receive a personalised learning sequence on 3 fundamental domains in English learning: the alphabet, sight words, and phonological awareness. These knowledge and skills are presented as fun and engaging games, videos, and activities suitable for home and school use. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is utilised to give tailored feedback and cater to children’s learning progress.

The positive effects of the app on children have been validated using standardised measures of English letter name and letter sound knowledge, phonological awareness, word reading, spelling, and language learning motivation. Remedial classes (online and face-to-face) were offered by trained teachers to children who had been identified to require additional support in these areas.

Back to School Life is part of the Learning Diversity Project, an initiative by the Education University of Hong Kong to support the English language education of primary school students. Another version of the app is currently being developed for kindergarten-aged children.

The Back to School Life app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store:

 iOS

https://apps.apple.com/hk/app/back-to-school-life/id1577334743

Android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hk.eduhk.btsl