Three childcare students who designed a bilingual speaking robot to help Asian children improve their English have scooped first prize in a national competition. Victoria Makin, Leanne Hampson and Karen Dewsnap, level three students at Ashton-under-Lyne Sixth Form College in Lancashire, won an event at Warwickshire College organised by the Further Education Skills Competition Council.
Three childcare students who designed a bilingual speaking robot to help Asian children improve their English have scooped first prize in a national competition.
Victoria Makin, Leanne Hampson and Karen Dewsnap, level three students at Ashton-under-Lyne Sixth Form College in Lancashire, won an event at Warwickshire College organised by the Further Education Skills Competition Council.
Contestants were asked to devise an activity, game or product promoting the social and emotional development of four-to eight-year-olds. The winners chose the young Urdu and Punjabi-speaking population of Tameside, many of whom speak limited English. A tape built into the robot speaks to children in Urdu, Punjabi and English.
The robot is now ready for trials in local primary schools. Any primary school staff wishing to take part in the trials should contact Jo Fletcher on 0161 330 2330.
