Course Description
In this course, students begin their discovery of the world of language through a set of fun and engaging online activities. An interactive environment called Saga contains learning activities that focus on solving puzzles that incorporate basic vocabulary and grammar for the world language the student is enrolled in.
In the Saga virtual environment, students travel to different world cities and famous landmarks acting as espionage recruits. Their objective is to complete puzzles at important landmarks in order to obtain the trace evidence necessary to complete their assigned mission. Every puzzle solution provides a new clue to the whereabouts of the targeted suspect.
In each activity, an audio translator tool is available. The translator persona, named Lexi, has access to major vocabulary terms and phrases needed to solve the puzzles. Vocabulary can be searched in either English or the world language, and each term and phrase is read aloud so users can hear how the word or phrase is pronounced. This tool is key to a discovery-based program as the students can find definitions and listen to pronunciations as needed to solve the puzzles.
There is unlimited time and an unlimited number of attempts at each puzzle, making the game impossible to lose, as long as the player keeps trying. As they become more familiar with the vocabulary and basic grammar skills, they will gain confidence in solving the puzzles. Using the process of elimination as the puzzles are completed, the students will eventually locate the target and solve the activity. Students will receive a certificate of completion for each of the discovery courses they finish.
In the Saga virtual environment, students travel to different world cities and famous landmarks acting as espionage recruits. Their objective is to complete puzzles at important landmarks in order to obtain the trace evidence necessary to complete their assigned mission. Every puzzle solution provides a new clue to the whereabouts of the targeted suspect.
In each activity, an audio translator tool is available. The translator persona, named Lexi, has access to major vocabulary terms and phrases needed to solve the puzzles. Vocabulary can be searched in either English or the world language, and each term and phrase is read aloud so users can hear how the word or phrase is pronounced. This tool is key to a discovery-based program as the students can find definitions and listen to pronunciations as needed to solve the puzzles.
There is unlimited time and an unlimited number of attempts at each puzzle, making the game impossible to lose, as long as the player keeps trying. As they become more familiar with the vocabulary and basic grammar skills, they will gain confidence in solving the puzzles. Using the process of elimination as the puzzles are completed, the students will eventually locate the target and solve the activity. Students will receive a certificate of completion for each of the discovery courses they finish.