Emily Chang a finalist in Fairleigh Dickinson University innovation contest

2014 Apr 18

Bergen County Academies Freshman, Emily Chang, of Norwood, NJ, has been recognized as a finalist in Fairleigh Dickinson University's Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship's 2014 New Jersey Idea Competition.

Chang's idea was EnglishMe, English You, English the World.

In Chang's own words: The limits of my language are the limits of my world. With these words, philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein has changed world perspective, enforcing the importance of verbal communication. Consider the education of the ever-evolving Republic of Korea, acquiring a system in which provides the foundation of the English language, yet falling back. To grant this missing, yet desirable fraction of the education system, EnglishMe finds its first customer. An overseas business, EnglishMe is one-on-one bonding through online learning. Face-to-face training through phone or video utilizes free face-timing access, like Skype to connect with the student. According to Korea's Education Government, English online education amounts to 1.7 billion, showcasing an advantage in profit for EnglishMe. Classes are possible anytime and place with connection access. Live sessions occur using courses adapted to interactively structured conversations, dialogues, and greetings available 24/7. Such involved courses allow the student to adapt to hearing, rather than to non-verbal gestures. Personalized according to the needs and level of the pupil, active participation is required as language difficulties are overcome through one-on-one methods and continual support.

The contest is an annual competition designed to help foster an entrepreneurial mindset among all New Jersey high school students. Divided into Northern, Central, and Southern regions, more than 800 students across the state submitted more than 520 ideas this year. Each region had a winner (Northern had two), four finalists, and eight semifinalists.

Part of FDU's Silberman College of Business since 1989, the mission of the Rothman Institute for Entrepreneurship is to teach and support entrepreneurship and innovation in the academic, business and nonprofit communities. An outstanding entrepreneurship curriculum taught by an excellent faculty has helped make the academic program among the top 20 in the nation (as ranked by the Princeton Review). For more information, go to www.fdu.edu/rothman.