Imagine playing video games for hours, and as a result, gaining the ability to speak Chinese fluently.

An MSU professor says the idea is in development.

Yong Zhao, associate professor of educational psychology, is leading the design on a new platform that will incorporate teaching Chinese in the United States.

On Oct. 21, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Zhou Ji, vice minister of Education of The People’s Republic of China, signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly build a E-Language Project that will allow people to learn a second language online.

Zhao will serve as code director and chief technical adviser on the project.

“I will provide guidance and lead the framework of the project including content and design,” Zhao said.

The U.S. Department of Education will contribute $3 million to the United States and China E-Language Project through the Star School program, which encourages improved instruction in foreign languages to the underserved.

The project is one of three Web-based education initiatives announced by President Bush at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Shanghai last October.

The project will address the problem of many schools in the United States lacking Chinese instructors, and the Web site will enable students to learn the language online. Another Web site will be designed in Chinese to teach students English.

Zhao said he plans to use game-based technology found in computer and video games.

“The technology is very engaging,” Zhao said. “It will make a perfect environment for learning language.”

Ken Klaes, an astrophysics sophomore, said he thinks the project will be successful if it can capture the video game feel.

“I have friends who have learned Japanese just so they can buy more imported games from Japan,” he said.

History junior Mary McCullen said the video game approach is the best way to capture the attention of the generation but questions the ability of the online technology.

“I want to learn as many languages as possible,” McCullen said. “But, I’ve used online programs before and they suck.”