Interactive Language Education System and Method
AssigneeLinguacomm Enterprises Inc.
InventorJulie R. Zilber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An interactive system for improving conversational listening and speaking skills in a target language through interaction between personal communications devices (for example, mobile telephones using cellular or other wireless networks, telephones using PSTN lines, VOIP-enabled communications devices, smart phones, voice-enabled PDAs) and an automated system that provides oral/aural instruction and practice in vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar/syntax, engages the learner in simulated conversations, and provides personalized feedback and suggestions for further practice based on an analysis of the type and frequency of specific pronunciation and grammatical/syntactical errors.
Claims18
A method of teaching a target language to a learner leaner having a personal communications device, comprising:
- (a) the learner establishing voice communication with an automated speech response system;
- (b) the learner selecting a language lesson using the personal communications device;
- (c) the learner engaging in said language lesson by interacting with an automated speech recognition system using the personal communications device;
- and
- (d) providing feedback to the learner using predetermined statements based on errors made by the learner during said lesson.
A method of teaching a target language to a learner leaner having a personal communications device, comprising:
- (a) the learner establishing voice communication with an automated speech response system;
- (b) the learner selecting a language lesson using the personal communications device;
- (c) the learner engaging in said language lesson by interacting with an automated speech recognition system using the personal communications device;
- and
- (d) providing feedback to the learner using predetermined statements based on correct responses made by the learner during said lesson.
An interactive language education system, comprising:
- (a) a telephone gateway for receiving a telephone call from a learner of a target language via a personal communications device;
- (b) a voice recognition system for receiving utterances from said learner, said voice recognition system having a grammar, said grammar including a phrase commonly mispronounced in said target language, by a speaker of a first language associated with said learner, wherein said grammar can identify said mispronounced phrase;
- and
- (c) means to communicate a correct pronunciation of said phrase to said learner via said personal communications device.
A grammar for a voice recognition system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of correct pronunciations of words in a first language;
- and
- (b) for a selection of said plurality of correct pronunciations, a plurality of incorrect pronunciations of said selection of words;
- wherein said grammar distinguishes between said correct and incorrect pronunciations of said selection of words.
A voice recognition system comprising a grammar of a first language, said grammar including grammatical mispronunciations common to speakers of a second language learning said first language, wherein said grammar can identify said grammatical mispronunciations made by said learner.
A method of creating a language lesson, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a topic of the lesson;
- (b) identifying a grammar issue to be addressed in the lesson;
- (c) providing an introductory explanation of said grammar issue;
- (e) providing a phrase relevant to said topic that illustrates said grammar issue;
- (f) providing instructions for an exercise in which a learner will change a sentence using an appropriate grammatical form;
- (g) providing an example illustrating how said exercise is completed;
- (h) describing possible errors said learner may make in attempting said exercise and providing a feedback statement for each said error;
- and
- (i) providing a sentence for said learner to change using said appropriate grammatical form.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.