Tanjung malim: Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) continues to advance educational innovation with the launch of SOVO Kit 2.0, an interactive application that uses listening-based learning to nurture children’s interest in foreign languages.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, lead researcher Dr. Mariyati Mohd Nor stated that the application, available on both Android and Apple platforms, is designed with colourful illustrations to capture the attention of young learners. The SOVO Kit 2.0 focuses on the combination of sound and voice, which form the SOVO concept as the primary medium of learning. It also provides language training focused on listening skills, helping learners grasp the basics of pronunciation and vocabulary more effectively.
The application was developed with fellow researchers Dr. Robe’ah Yusuf, Noraziah Abdul Aziz, Noor Azalina Buang, Tan Lee Na, and Muhammad Hilmi Che Ahamad, each bringing expertise in foreign languages. Mariyati mentioned that the multidisciplinary approach allows the application to contain authentic, comprehensive content that aligns with children’s learning needs.
The new version of the SOVO Kit provides children with the opportunity to master five foreign languages: French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese. The application maintains an interactive, fun, and authentic approach, aiming to strengthen early learning and prepare a generation ready to meet global challenges.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Mazura@Mastura Muhammad, Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Communication at UPSI, described the project as a meaningful effort that provides substantial benefits to society, particularly Generation Z. She emphasized that this initiative not only introduces foreign languages from an early stage but also instills an interest in the young generation to interact in a global environment. SOVO Kit 2.0 is seen as a catalyst for the development of linguistic skills among the younger generation, supporting the country’s aspiration to produce a multilingual literate society.