Created by Imagine Learning, Inc. Directed by Josh Cross Theme music composer Brian Jensen First episode date July 2008 Number of episodes 26 | Written by Dianne DeMik Starring Hank Florence Opening theme Imagine Island Theme Number of seasons 1 Languages Spanish, Portuguese | |
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Genre Children's television series | ||
Imagine island
Imagine Island is a children's television program designed to teach English as a second language (ESL) to younger children. Each episode features stories, songs, and focuses on one letter of the English alphabet. The show is based on Imagine Learning English, an ESL computer program created by Imagine Learning, Inc. a software company based in Provo, Utah.
Contents
History
Formed in 2004, Imagine Learning, Inc. developed Imagine Learning English, an English language software program. Employing research-based English teaching practices, the software acted like a human tutor, adapting to each child’s individual learning needs; it also gave feedback so teachers could see how the child was progressing. The aim of those at Imagine Learning, Inc. was to accelerate children's English language learning and give them the foundation they need to be able to speak fluent, accent-free English.
In early 2007, Imagine Learning, Inc. began developing the idea for a television program. Each episode would draw heavily from the Imagine Learning English software. Activities from the software would be tied together by a host who would also drive the narrative. A pilot was shot and presented to BYU Broadcasting, a division of Brigham Young University, also located in Provo, Utah. BYU Broadcasting had recently launched BYU Television International, and was searching for content in other languages, specifically Spanish and Portuguese.
An agreement was reached in late 2007; Imagine Learning, Inc. would produce 26 episodes of Imagine Island, and BYU Television International would begin airing them in 2008. Production commenced in February 2008, and wrapped in June 2008. The first episode of Imagine Island aired on July 5, 2008.
Format
Hank Florence plays Jack, a treasure collector who works for the Imagine Museum. Each episode he travels to Imagine Island with his robot assistant, Booster, to collect treasures for the museum. The show employs the clever device of having Booster speak the viewer's native language, while Jack only speaks English. Booster mirrors Jack's dialog somewhat, so the viewer is able to understand. Each episode focuses on a letter of the alphabet, and teaches it through vocabulary words, songs, and stories. Instruction is reinforced through repetition. About 2/3 of each episode is content from the computer software, with the remaining 1/3 being scenes with Jack and Booster. Jack is shot on a green screen, so Booster, the island, and all other characters are animated.
Hank Florence ("Jack")
Hank Florence was studying theater and acting at BYU when he auditioned for the role of Jack. He beat off dozens of professional actors for the part. He and his wife had recently lived in China, teaching English to children there, so he was familiar with ESL, and working with children specifically.
Booster
Booster is a flying, animated robot. He is Jack's assistant, and usually is getting him out of trouble. Booster speaks different languages, depending on what country the show is airing in. Jack understands everything he says, however, but always answers him in English.
Amanda
Amanda is a panda bear. Just as in the Imagine Learning English software, her role is to teach reading and listening comprehension. She reads each story in the episodes of Imagine Island.
Chloe
Chloe is a cricket. As in the ILE software, her specialty is vocabulary. She resides in the library and teaches children not only the letters of the alphabet, but vocabulary words as well.
Mike
Mike is an animated microphone. His function is spoken-language development. He shows videos that model real kids speaking English, and then he has the viewer practice a word or phrase.
Pete
Pete is a prairie dog. In the software, he helps the children practice their English through games and quizzes. In the television show, however, he primarily functions as a narrative device to move the plot forward.
Imagine Island Season One Episodes
- Episode A - The Search for the Anthill
- Episode B - Pete's Note and the Baby
- Episode C - The Costume Party
- Episode D - The Missing Dinosaur Bone
- Episode E - Of Elves and Echoes
- Episode F - Following Footprints
- Episode G - A Gift From a Friend
- Episode H - The Hamster's House
- Episode I - The Invisible Insect
- Episode J - Juggling Jobs
- Episode K - The King's Kite
- Episode L - The Legend of the Lost Lantern
- Episode M - The Mysterious Mask
- Episode N - A Rare Bird on Imagine Island
- Episode O - Opposite Day
- Episode P - Playing in the Park
- Episode Q - The Queen's Quandary
- Episode R - The Rainbow Race
- Episode S - The Starfish and the Treasure
- Episode T - The Talent Show
- Episode U - Uncle Umberto's Umbrella
- Episode V - The Visitor's Violin
- Episode W - Wild Weather
- Episode X - X Marks the Spot
- Episode Y - Yo-Yo Man
- Episode Z - The Missing Zebra