8D World Named as Official Partner of China’s CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition
Wiz World Online Selected as English Competition Platform and Official Curriculum
Shanghai, China/Woburn, Massachusetts, USA, January 25, 2010 --- 8D World, the creator of Wiz World Online (www.wizworldonline.com) an online virtual world focused on teaching English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL), today announced that it has been selected as the official partner of CCTV (China’s national television network) Star of Outlook English Talent Competition. In addition, Wiz World Online has been chosen as the designated competition platform and official curriculum of the annual nationwide English competition. Over 1,000 EFL training schools work in partnership with CCTV to facilitate this program and over 400,000 6-14 year olds participated in 2009. This is another major designation of Wiz World Online as an official English competition platform after last July’s Wiz World Cup where 8D World worked with six Shanghai government agencies and Shanghai Oriental Digital Community to launch an oral English competition in anticipation of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.
“We are proud to be selected as the official partner of the CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition. This partnership highlights the profound impact that Wiz World Online is bringing to English education in China,” said Alex Wang, CEO of 8D World. “We look forward to having more people use Wiz World Online as the immersive language environment to improve their spoken English. We also hope Wiz World Online will bring more excitement and more contestants to the already successful CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition.”
“CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition has a rich history and strong nationwide coverage in China. We have always aspired to evolve and perfect the competition to be the trend setter for China’s English education,” said the host of the CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition. “It’s no secret that technology and innovation are becoming more prevalent in today’s English education. Wiz World Online is a perfect example of leveraging the latest technologies to deliver a highly rigorous English curriculum. CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition has a strong emphasis on oral communication. Wiz World Online’s strength in speech technologies allows us to involve a large number of contestants and at the same time to ensure the objectivity in evaluation. I want to offer my best wishes to all contestants in the upcoming competition.”
About 8D World
8D World is the creator of Wiz World Online (www.wizworldonline.com), the world’s first virtual world dedicated for global English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners to improve their spoken English in a highly motivating environment. 8D World’s team includes top English educators, award winning speech technology experts and world renowned multiplayer game designers. 8D World’s management team has proven track records of successfully starting and growing global multimedia and software companies. 8D World is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA and has its Asia head office in Shanghai, China. To learn more, visit www.8dworld.com.
About CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition
China Central Television (CCTV) is China’s national TV station. In addition to its TV programs, CCTV has also built up a multi-media broadcasting platform and business operation, which includes movies, newspapers and Internet portal. CCTV is the main news source for the Chinese people. CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition is an annual, nationwide competition organized by CCTV’s Center for Education Programs since year 2000. The aim of the competition has been to “Nurture Interest, Boost Confidence, Demonstrate Talent, and Set Example”. Since its inception, CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition has attracted millions of contestants throughout China. Award winning weekly TV programs are also produced to highlight the competition progress for various age groups. During 2006-2008, CCTV Star of Outlook English Talent Competition worked with the 29th Olympic Organizing Committee to inject Olympic concepts and contents into the competition. To learn more, visit space.tv.cctv.com/podcast/starofoutlook.
