Revolutionising the language of learning

MYLO is an innovative online service launched in response to the government's Open School for Languages initiative concerning the rapid decline of uptake of languages in secondary schools across the UK.

A key service to help turn attitudes around and engage with young people by promoting the benefits of languages: socially, globally, financially and in terms of cultural enrichment, it presents modern foreign languages in a fresh manner with a dynamic, relevant and engaging proposition.

What does MYLO provide?

MYLO is unique in that it engages directly with the target audience, on their time and their own terms. It uses a 'hook and hold' strategy to appeal to disaffected learners of all varieties. Whether they perceive languages to be boring or irrelevant; have been put off by how languages are taught; find them difficult to learn; feel they are unworthy of academic pursuit; or are eager to learn, but do not have the right access: MYLO is designed to meet all such needs.

Using devices such as social networking, community gaming, online collaborative play and content creation, MYLO enables students to learn French, German, Spanish and Mandarin through digital activities which include producing a TV advert, working in a French fashion house and designing a football kit.

The positive impact of MYLO for Teachers

MYLO is self-directed, allowing learners to experience language learning without the support of a languages teacher. The focus is on creative use of language - speaking and writing - so that learners are engaged with a purposeful exercise.

"This is, without doubt one of the best resources I have come across in Spanish in the last 20 years." - Teacher of Spanish

"I have never seen my group so motivated and wanting to have a go all the time.  We'll definitely be using some more of the projects and challenges in the future!" - Teacher of French

The positive impact of MYLO for Learners

The Learning to Learn section - an area designed to help learners understand how to learn is a thrilling and inventive series of infomericals akin to a short TV series. They are worth watching for the visual splendour alone, but in the process equip learners with genuinely insightful hints and tips to come to grips with difficult learning theories.

"It's better than other online sites as it looks more grown up." - Pupil

"It is very different to anything that we do in language lessons and I really like the idea." - Pupil