Introduction

As part of the Mobile and Immersive Learning for Literacy in Emerging Economies (MILLEE), this project aims to enhance access to literacy among children of school-going age in the developing world. Poor literacy remains a barrier to economic empowerment in the developing world. English learning is widely seen as a key to socioeconomic success. Fluency in English can almost be equated with membership in the middle and upper classes. More broadly, the literature, conversations conducted by the MILLEE team with development professionals in Africa, East Asia and South Asia, and further experiences in the field indicate that a large proportion of low-income populations in these places desire to improve their command of an appropriate "world language." English is certainly one of these, as is Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. But even in countries where such a language is an official "national language," many speakers (inevitably the least empowered) have a different native language, and many regional languages (let alone dialects) are often spoken. "World language" fluency opens the door to further education, a larger regional (or world) marketplace, to "new economy" outsourced jobs, and often improves access to government, health and legal services.

Problem Statement and Proposed Solution

Unfortunately, government schools in developing regions face difficulties, especially with ESL (English as a Second Language). From the literature and MILLEE project fieldwork in the poorest state of India, two significant factors stand out: non-regular attendance in schools owing to the need for students to work in the fields, homes, etc., and disinterest in schoolwork owing to the perceived costs or lack of benefits of formal schooling. Another factor is the qualifications of local ESL teachers, who were often unable to communicate with us in English without interpreters.

M-Learning in Kenya

Based on this background, we have initiated research and game development and education for the Kenyan market. We are currently working to pilot with one rural school before we roll out a scaled up project with several other partners.