Wall Street Institute Launches Innovative Language Learning Game Based on Adapted Articles From The Financial Times

- Game Available exclusively to Wall Street Institute Facebook Fans through New Facebook App

BALTIMORE, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wall Street Institute, a Pearson owned company and the world's premier provider of English language instruction for adults, has launched AppGrade, a new and engaging educational game designed to help people learn English. The game is based on adapted articles from The Financial Times, the world's leading provider of global business news, comment, and analysis. The app is available exclusively on Facebook to the company's 300,000 fans worldwide.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120709/PH35990 )

The learning game is centered on a weekly Financial Times article that has been adapted for English language learners and released in a social environment. This encourages users to challenge their peers and share success with their friends. Players score points by answering questions about the article, and progress through the game based on the number of points they earn each week.  

"Educational games are fantastic learning tools," said David Kedwards, CEO, Wall Street Institute. "They engage even casual learners and motivate people to achieve higher levels in the game. The more people play, the more they learn."

The game is part of the company's ForToday product suite, which was launched late last year. Through ForToday, WSI students have access to:

• Language learning exercises based on articles from the Financial Times
• Additional language classes that focus on the articles
• Unlimited access to FT.com

The Facebook App offers a sneak preview of 10 adapted Financial Times articles to all Wall Street Institute Facebook fans, regardless if they are a current student or simply interested in learning English. Players can find that app by visiting: https://apps.facebook.com/appgrade. A mobile version of the game will be available soon.

The full ForToday product suite is available at no extra cost to all current Wall Street Institute students, and they are taking full advantage of these additional learning tools. Each ForToday article is read by an average of 4500 students and receives an average of 55 comments. Over 3000 students have become active subscribers to FT.com since the product launched late last year.

Wall Street Institute continues to develop additional tools to help encourage and motivate people to achieve their language goals. The new interactive Facebook app is a fun addition to the company's product offering.

About Wall Street Institute

Wall Street Institute is the premier provider of English language instruction for adults. Wall Street Institute has provided instruction to over 2 million students in 450 centers in 27 countries. The company is owned by Pearson, the education company.

About Pearson

Pearson is the world's leading learning company. Our education business combines 150 years of experience in publishing with the latest learning technology and online support.  We help people learn whatever, wherever and however they choose.