Automated techniques for teaching language

A method for improving use of a computer system as a tool for teaching language, comprising:

• presenting on a display device of a computer system, as part of a first automated activity, a definition of a particular word without depicting the particular word itself;
• presenting, on the display device of the computer system, a plurality of draggable prefixes, roots and suffixes that belong to the particular word;
• establishing a first position, on the screen display, to which a user may drag one of the draggable prefixes;
• establishing a second position, on the screen display, to which the user may drag one of the draggable roots;
• establishing a third position, on the screen display, to which the user may drag one of the draggable suffixes;
• in response to the user dragging a particular draggable prefix to the first position, dragging a particular draggable root to the second position, and dragging a particular suffix to the third position, determining whether the particular word is formed by combining the particular draggable prefix, the particular draggable root, and the particular draggable suffix;
• generating an indication of success, by the computer system, in response to determining that the particular word is formed by combining the particular draggable prefix, the particular draggable root, and the particular draggable suffix.