A new children's English learning course, Poptropica in China based on cartoon characters, is being launched for those aged between 6 and 12, by Pearson Plc.

The world's largest educational company is expanding its traditional publishing business to digital services to meet the demand from the younger generation.

Pearson said it is hoping the new course will reach more children at Chinese schools as most current courses, including Big English and Longman English Link, are adopted by institutions and international schools in the country.

There are 600 million Chinese parents in China and more than 45 percent would enroll their children in English learning courses.