Learning the language, anytime, anywhere

Chen Wanqing, general manager at New Oriental's online education brand, Koolearn. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Tao Yingwen, the mother of a girl who has studied with the app for six years, explained the reason why she chose it.

"I liked the scientifically designed curriculum, and its lessons, designed like games, can help my daughter become more interested in learning," Tao says.

"Sometimes she can use the app to practice English while I drive her home so that short periods of time can be made use of for English learning."

Chen Wanqing, general manager of Kids Education Product Business Department in Koolearn, an online education brand of New Oriental Education & Technology Group, says parents play a vital role in kids' mobile education.

In 2012, Chen and her team launched the English education app Donut for kids aged from 3 to 7.

"Should kids use a mobile education app? Which apps should kids use? Parents are actually the decision-makers," says Chen, who is the mother of a 6-year-old.

"A popular education app will cater to the tastes of parents and kids."

Based on analysis of a user's data, an education app can provide the learner with an individualized study plan and courses that are accessible on mobile devices.

Mobility in education is an inevitable trend in this internet era.

Other than apps, WeChat and live videos also emerge in the mobile learning field.

"The key point for going further along the mobile education path is to respect the nature of children and the rules of education," Chen says.

Contact the writer at xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn