VOXY launches mobile language learning tool.
August 30, 2010
Voxy launched as part of TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield in San Francisco, a showcase of 2010’s most innovative technology startups. Selected from among 500 companies to debut at the conference and the only one focused on aiding in the acculturation of the 15-20 million Spanish-dominant U.S. Hispanics, Voxy leverages fresh topical content and mobile technology to create convenient, customizable, and contextual lessons that are designed to fit the lives of today’s language learners.
Voxy is also a clear example of how Silicon Valley is expanding past consumer technologies that traditionally focus on “early adopters” to larger – and often underserved – market opportunities like Spanish-dominant Hispanics.
“For Hispanics living in the U.S., English proficiency is integral to their economic and social success. However, existing language tools are expensive, boring, inconvenient, and most importantly, don’t focus on the specific ‘real-life’ English that is needed most,” said Paul Gollash, founder and CEO of Voxy. “At Voxy, we built an innovative learning system based on proven academic theories and some of the most cutting-edge technologies available. Voxy will be a fun and addictive tool that allows members of a traditionally underserved community to learn English that is relevant to their daily life, in three minutes a day, wherever and whenever they have the opportunity to practice.”
“For a language-learning tool to be effective, the student needs to be completely engaged in the content. As such, we’re ensuring that every lesson featured on Voxy speaks directly to the student’s interests by taking the headlines from today’s world, whether it’s news about politics, sports or pop culture, and rewriting them so that they become personalized learning moments,” said Laura Martinez, editorial director of Voxy and renowned journalist and blogger.
Voxy aims to be the most effective and lowest cost language learning solution. Beta users can now sign up directly at no cost via voxy.com http://www.voxy.com . Voxy will also be partnering with a number of under-resourced English as a Second Language (ESL) schools; community organizations promoting literacy and education; and large employers of U.S. Hispanics to provide students of all types with a fun, engaging, and “real-world” English course.