Edusoft learning

NEW Release of English Discoveries Online

edusoft — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:44:14 +0000

Edusoft is proud to announce a new release of English Discoveries Online (EDO), offering a wealth of fresh learning content, new vibrant flash animations, and additional assessment features, all of which will enhance the user experience and skill-building opportunities for our next-generation language learners.

New vocabulary lessons (including dictation, comprehension, audio activities and tests)

60 new Speaking Idiom activities in the Community Site
New Exit Tests for general English courses and Specific English courses (“English at Work”)

New automated assessment reports for teachers- providing additional ways to track student success

“Edusoft is committed to continuously providing fresh and engaging, new content for its community of English learners and teachers to enrich their English-language journey. This new release of EDO offers added pedagogical value as well as a richer user experience. English Discoveries Online continues to deliver a uniquely stimulating and effective language-learning solution that responds to evolving market demands.”

-Donni Billauer, Product Manager, Edusoft

EDO to boost English for 21,000 Peruvians

edusoft — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:01:40 +0000

SENATI (the National Apprenticeship and Industrial Labor Service in Peru) has partnered with Edusoft in a nationwide program to boost English proficiency levels of 21,000 high school students and adult learners in 2012. Impressed by Edusoft’s range of successful national ELL programs across Latin America, SENATI selected the company’s English Discoveries Online (EDO) platform to provide broader national and international working opportunities for its students across all 75 learning centers.

SENATI is a private organization which works together with the Peruvian ministries of education and labor, as well as with major industry sectors to provide training in industry-based fields. Following a recent initiative to make English learning mandatory across all fields of study, SENATI sought an advanced, technology-based English solution to upgrade its previous face-to-face courses which were anchored around the Oxford University Press series Tech Talk. This decision to raise the standard of English learning has two key goals: to enhance learners’ English-reading skills for exposure to a broader set of training materials; and to increase their English proficiency in order to equip them for international jobs.

Edusoft will deliver a comprehensive, blended learning solution including EDO’s interactive, multimedia-based ELL courses tightly integrated with classroom lesson plans, guided discussions and printed materials. This month, Edusoft’s pedagogical team conducted onsite training for 70 SENATI supervisors and teachers, familiarizing them with the EDO learning platform and with Edusoft’s blended learning methodology.

“Edusoft has a solid and growing presence in Latin American due to the company’s proven track record in implementing national ELL projects across this region. Large-scale, technology-based projects of this magnitude require a truly customizable and robust ELL solution to accommodate local requirements in terms of infrastructure and technological limitations. It is inspiring to partner with rapidly-developing countries such as Peru, in their endeavor to equip all citizens with essential language skills for global industry demands. ”

-David Abravanel, International Sales Manager for Latin America, Edusoft

Edusoft Launches TOEIC Bridge Skill Building Course

edusoft — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:19 +0000

Authorized by ETS, this new online course is the first in a line of integrated products that Edusoft is developing for ETS tests. The course is delivered via the English Discoveries Online (EDO) platform and is now available to universities, ministries of education and corporations.

The aim of the TOEIC BRIDGE Skill Building Course is to familiarize English language students with the TOEIC Bridge^TM test, by covering identical topics at corresponding levels of English and by providing the same test format.

The course is aimed at students, professionals, teachers, and trainers who are learning or teaching English (beginner to mid-level). It contains 40 learning hours of reading, listening and grammar.

“ETS’ authorization of Edusoft’s TOEIC Bridge Skill Building Course reflects the synergies produced by the recent acquisition. Together, ETS and Edusoft now offer a unique, assessment-driven, English-language learning solution for worldwide academic and vocational markets. The accrual of Edusoft’s twenty years at the forefront of technology-based English learning and ETS’ sixty-five years of assessment expertise gives rise to a new league of English-language professional development for learners across the globe. We are excited to be instrumental in this evolution.”

-Donni Billauer, Edusoft Product Manager

ETS Acquisition of Edusoft – A Real Opportunity

edusoft — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:41:46 +0000

Education expert David Worlock predicts in his blog post (“Let there be Growth”) that the future of English Language Learning lies in
“assessment-led, mobile platform driven, self-diagnostic learning systems”.

He points to ETS’ recent acquisition of Edusoft as a “real opportunity” to achieve the definitive, assessment-driven, online English Language Learning solution.

Worlock explores the evolving needs of today’s language learners:
“More and more students want to study alone and control their learning processes”.

Renowned for assisting publishing companies in keeping up with the digital era, Worlock observes that the traditional leaders of the English Language Learning industry (publishing houses such as Macmillan, Cambridge, Pearson, and Oxford) have, for various reasons, failed to address the changing needs of today’s language students. He envisages that these companies will soon have to make way for competitors who offer a combination of an advanced, portable learning platform with branded assessment.

Worlock praises ETS’ expansion into the ELT market:

“If you seek a growth market …the best that the industry can offer is in ELT (English Language Teaching).”

“ETS have long nurtured ambitions to move into a broader engagement with users than simple certification.”

He also expresses complete confidence in Edusoft as ETS’ company of choice:

“For 20 years [Edusoft has conducted] contracted activity with universities and schools, public and private, in every important ELT market. The critical European, Asia Pacific and, above all, Latin American markets are well invested. …Edusoft knows the structure of these markets very well.”

To read David Worlock’s full article, click here

About David Worlock
David Worlock is a Cambridge History graduate who has acted as consultant, adviser, and chairperson in the fields of education, academic publishing, business information, science, technology, and public policy.

David is the founder of London/ New York-based Electronic Publishing Services Ltd. He has provided advisory services for the European Commission, the Department of Trade and Industry, the British Library, QCA and the Soros Foundation.

He served as non-executive director of Dorling Kindersley Plc, prior to its acquisition by Pearson, and Book Data Ltd, which he co-founded, prior to its acquisition by VNU. He was chairman of the Digital Content Forum, which liaised between UK information industry organizations and the UK government on digital content issues.

Having sold Electronic Publishing Services to Outsell Inc. in 2006, David now co-chairs and manages Outsell’s Executive Programs. He is on the Advisory Board of the European Learning Industry Group and continues to speak and write extensively on industry issues.

Edusoft acquired by Educational Testing Service ETS®

edusoft — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:28:37 +0000

“A very exciting time of growing together”

ETS, the world’s leading organization for English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) assessments and research, has acquired Edusoft, the global pioneer in technology-assisted English language solutions. ETS is renowned for producing the TOEFL^® and TOEIC^® English tests, the most broadly used and respected English language tests worldwide.

Following an extensive evaluation of online English language solutions across the globe, ETS selected Edusoft for the purpose of strategically expanding its market scope into the field of English language learning content. The acquisition demonstrates the value and effectiveness of Edusoft’s English language solutions and services.

Edusoft will continue to operate as an independent company, led by its existing management.

The acquisition produces many synergies and opportunities to maximize competitiveness and growth in existing and new regions. It is expected that in the near future, Edusoft’s customers will have the benefit of accessing the world’s most effective English tests.

“ETS is the leader in educational assessment. Edusoft is the leader in providing content and instruction. This acquisition opens a whole new door for both companies in the global learning marketplace.
We wanted to find a company that had various technologies to participate in the multiple expectations of customers. That was one of the exciting aspects of Edusoft: it has a platform not only for students, but for the teachers and administration…even for the ministries of education. We were struck by their very effective and customer-oriented operation which dovetails very well with ETS’s approach to the market place. So we begin now a very exciting time of growing together.”
ETS Senior VP, Business Innovation & Growth, Dr. Philip Tabbiner

“This is an extraordinary milestone and recognition of our educational and commercial accomplishments. ETS is the most respected assessment and research organization in the world and this fusion of expertise can only be beneficial. We believe we are entering into an era of limitless educational possibilities.”
Edusoft CEO, Rafi Moran

About ETS

At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education, as well as conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests, the GRE® tests and The Praxis Series™ assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org

To see the ETS official Press Release on the acquisition, click here.

APHI to deliver EDO to Filipino schools nationwide

edusoft — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:30:53 +0000

Abiva Publishing House Inc (APHI), the pioneering and renowned Philippines education publisher, is expanding its educational horizons in the context of an increasing global demand for computer-assisted, Blended Learning solutions.

APHI, which has been publishing and distributing educational materials since 1936, will launch a subsidiary company, EduPower Publishing Corporation, in order to distribute e-Learning products nationwide. Edusoft will be EduPower’s exclusive provider of online English language solutions and in this capacity will deliver customized Blended Learning courses based on the English Discoveries Online platform and integrated with the Philippines’ basic education curriculum.

The launch of EduPower is in line with the Philippine government’s new program to develop learners’ English proficiency and to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) within the education system. EDO will be launched in the Philippines at various major learning events this year, including the 32nd Manila International Book Fair.

“Edusoft values its longstanding partnership with the Philippines’ renowned Abiva Publishing House. We are proud to be part of the advancement of Southeast Asia’s education market towards technology-assisted education.

Edusoft was one of the first companies worldwide to incorporate computer-based learning into the classroom and is today a leading authority on customizable, Blended Learning solutions. It is a thrill to be at the forefront of global educational progress.”

-Rafi Moran, CEO

Denis’ School partners with Edusoft

edusoft — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:51:51 +0000

After extensive research into global language learning solutions, Denis’ School has chosen English Discoveries Online as the optimum learning platform for its English language requirements across four countries.

Denis’ School will offer Edusoft’s vocational English courses via the same platform.

Denis’ School is renowned as the leading foreign language school throughout Russia, Poland, the Ukraine, and China. The company provides language learning for 20,000 active students via a team of 1,800 employed teachers. Denis’ School is responsible for having taught 155,000 students so far and is the owner of 15 educational patents.

“Edusoft is proud to be forging a partnership with one of Europe’s most innovative and successful language schools.

In today’s shifting education market, private language schools are compelled to provide high-end learning technology, as well as advanced educational methodologies in order to maintain their strategic advantage. Those schools which offer vocational English courses must also provide real-life learning contexts which reflect the contemporary workplace, in order to prepare their learners for the real world.

Edusoft is committed to building fruitful partnerships with prominent language providers across all regions of the world.”

-Uri Heiman, VP Sales

Chihuahua University adopts EDO for all faculties

edusoft — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:51:42 +0000

UACH (Autonomous University of Chihuahua), Mexico, has signed an agreement with Inteltech (Edusoft’s local distributor) which will enable university students from all faculties to learn English via the English Discoveries Online platform, starting September, 2011.

Edusoft has developed a customized English language learning solution that integrates its flagship interactive product, English Discoveries Online, with UACH’s existing English curriculum which is based on National Geographic’s “World English” (Heinle Cengage).

Director of UACH’s Center of Languages, Mrs. Rosario Salas Beall, announced that she aims to

“…strengthen the quality of education provided by incorporating new technology-based methodologies into UACH’s educational arena.”

She also stated that

“the advanced interactive content and grammar components within English Discoveries Online will enable students to develop their reading, writing, listening and comprehension skills as well as the ability to speak fluently.”

2,000 teachers receive Edusoft’s training in Mexico

edusoft — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:34:15 +0000

Edusoft’s pedagogical team recently conducted the third phase of a Teacher Training course in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The course has been custom designed to incorporate content from Mexico’s national PNIEB curriculum. Over 2,000 teachers will be trained in the initial stage of the course via Edusoft’s cost-effective, large-scale model for training and management. Teachers are exposed to a comprehensive range of e-Teaching skills, methodologies, and English language development through interactive classroom simulations as well as online projects.

Edusoft’s Teacher Training Courses are cost-effective and highly unique in that they offer both an extensive online component (facilitating optimum, self-paced learning) in addition to the ability for local supervisors and project managers to directly monitor the effectiveness of the course in real-time. These factors ensure that the goals of each English learning project, regardless of scale, are achieved. Edusoft has successfully implemented Teacher Training courses for a multitude of clients. Large-scale training projects have proven particularly effective for customers looking for a long-term, sustainable, cost-effective training model.

Edusoft’s team of pedagogical experts developed the Teacher Training course in 2010 in response to a growing global need for professional development within English learning institutions and centers. Courses are customizable and provide a unique blend of face-to-face and computer-assisted training, giving Edusoft a distinct, strategic advantage over companies who offer purely traditional forms of training.

The accepted optimum starting age for ESL and EFL learning has gone down in recent years. Consequently, the demand for professional training in this young-learner market is on the rise. In light of these market shifts, Edusoft recently expanded its training solutions to include a course specifically aimed at teachers of young learners.

Edusoft provides its English learning solutions via a range of advanced media formats. There is an increasing market demand for innovative learning methods and technologies, particularly those that focus on listening and conversation skills.

Upon the completion of Edusoft’s Teacher Training course in Tamaulipas, teachers were provided with SpeakingPal’s advanced mobile-learning service. SpeakingPal is a valued partner of Edusoft and incorporates interactive content from English Discoveries Online in its high-end, m-Learning solutions.

“This training initiative, by a superpower economy, is a symbol of wise investment. The mission to provide young students throughout Mexico with vital English language skills is a huge endeavor which requires training thousands of teachers via an effective and efficient scheme. Edusoft’s blended Teacher Training solution combines the most advanced methodologies with a dynamic online tool, which allows teachers to receive quality professional development in a cost-effective manner. We are honored to have been selected to fulfill this worthy goal.”

-Hernan Garber, Executive VP, Marketing & Business Development, Edusoft

NOE Plaza to provide EDO to 45,000 Thai schools

edusoft — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:47:09 +0000

NOE Plaza, a governmental arm of the Thai Ministry of Education, has selected English Discoveries Online as the English learning solution for its new nationwide Distance Learning project, which incorporates many fields of education. July 2011 marks the launch of the ministry’s large-scale education endeavor across 45,000 Thai schools.

Edusoft is providing a customized English language learning solution which integrates with the Thai national English curriculum with Edusoft’s interactive learning platform English Discoveries Online (EDO). Thai teachers and supervisors will have the additional benefit of utilizing EDO as a professional development tool for the purpose of improving their own English proficiency level.

“It is a pleasure to once again be selected as the sole provider of English learning solutions for a nationwide project.

The value of English proficiency, within the context of globalization and the concurrent information explosion, is rising dramatically. English is indeed the language of the information era and we are proud to be consistently chosen by ministries of education to deliver advanced learning opportunities.”

- Uri Heiman, VP Sales, Edusoft