Automated language acquisition system and method

• US 20040029084A1
• Filed: 04/15/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renaissance Learning Incorporated (Raphael Holding Co.)
• Original Assignee: Renaissance Learning Incorporated (Raphael Holding Co.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Carol M., Nicol, Janet L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,052,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/169
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/06 Foreign languages with audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/04 with audible presentation of the material to be studied sound recording or reproducing G11B

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for language teaching that involves training to an automatic level a set of core vocabulary items, and then presenting learned items in combination as a means of implicitly teaching grammar. In one aspect, a method for teaching a language, consistent with the invention, comprises: (a) while displaying to a learner a graphical representation of a vocabulary item comprising at least one word, playing to the learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of the vocabulary item; and (b) while displaying to a learner both a graphical representation of the vocabulary item and the written form of the vocabulary item, playing to the learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of the vocabulary item.

Claims

1. A method for teaching a language, said method comprising:

(a) while displaying to a learner a graphical representation of a vocabulary item comprising at least one word, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said vocabulary item; and

(b) while displaying to a learner both a graphical representation of said vocabulary item and the written form of said vocabulary item, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said vocabulary item.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, said method further comprising:

repeating said steps (a) and (b) a plurality of times for said vocabulary item.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, said method further comprising:

repeating said steps (a) and (b) a plurality of times for each of a plurality of vocabulary items.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spoken form of said vocabulary item of at least one said repetition of step (a) comprises the voice of a different speaker.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said different speaker of the spoken form of said vocabulary item is selected at random from a group of speakers.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

while displaying to a learner a graphical representation of a sentence or short phrase comprising said vocabulary item combined with at least one other word, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said sentence or short phrase.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

while displaying to a learner the written form of a sentence or short phrase and a graphical representation of a sentence or short phrase comprising said vocabulary item combined with at least one other word, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said sentence or short phrase.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the native language of the learner is not employed at any time during the performance of the steps of said method.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used during the performance of the steps of said method.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the native language of the learner is not employed at any time during the performance of the steps of said method, with the exception of providing instructions for the learner in the native language of said learner that said learner must follow in order to learn using said method.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used during the performance of the steps of said method, with the exception of providing instructions for the learner in the native language of said learner that said learner must follow in order to learn using said method.

12. A method for teaching a language, said method comprising:

successively presenting each of a set of words or phrases to a learner by having the learner hear said words or phrases spoken while viewing corresponding graphical icons visually representing said words or phrases;

successively presenting each of said set of words or phrases to said learner by having said learner hear said words or phrases spoken while viewing both corresponding graphical icons visually representing said words or phrases and the written form of said words or phrases; and

successively presenting each of a set of sentences and/or short phrases to said learner, each said sentence and/or short phrase comprising at least one word or phrase of said set of words or phrases, by having said learner hear said sentences and/or short phrases spoken while viewing corresponding graphical icons visually representing said sentences and/or short phrases.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said learner controls the timing of the presentation of at least one said word or phrase in at least one said presenting step.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the presentation of at least two said words or phrases in at least one said presenting step occurs at a predetermined interval with respect to one another.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said interval is about 750 milliseconds between the completion of the presentation of one said word or phrase and the beginning of the subsequent said word or phrase.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said interval is about 30 words or phrases per minute.

17. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said learner controls said timing by pressing a key on a computer keyboard or a button on a mouse to begin the presentation of at least one said word or phrase in at least one said presenting step.

18. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said learner is presented with a selectable option to repeat the presentation of at least one said word or phrase in at least one said presenting step.

19. A system for teaching a language, said system comprising:

a computer system, said computer system having a screen, an audio output device, and at least one memory device;

a set of vocabulary items stored in said at least one memory device, each said vocabulary item comprising at least one word;

a first set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said first set of machine-readable instructions for displaying on said screen a graphical representation of one said vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said vocabulary item; and

a second set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said second set of machine-readable instructions for displaying on said screen a graphical representation of one said vocabulary item and the written form of said vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said vocabulary item.

20. A system for teaching a language, said system comprising:

a computer system, said computer system having a screen, an audio output device, and at least one memory device;

stored data comprising a set of vocabulary items stored in said at least one memory device, a plurality of audio files, and a plurality of graphics files, each said vocabulary item comprising at least one word, at least one said audio file corresponding to and comprising a spoken representation of each said vocabulary item, at least one said graphics file corresponding to and comprising a visual representation of each said vocabulary item;

a first set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said first set of machine-readable instructions for selecting one said vocabulary item from said set of vocabulary items, for reading the written form of said vocabulary item and/or at least one said corresponding audio file and/or at least one said corresponding graphics file from said at least one memory device;

a second set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said second set of machine-readable instructions for displaying on said screen said graphics file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said audio file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item; and

a third set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said third set of machine-readable instructions for displaying on said screen the written form of said vocabulary item and said graphics file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said audio file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item.

21. A system as claimed in claim 20, said system further comprising:

a fourth set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said fourth set of machine-readable instructions for executing said second and/or third set of machine-readable instructions a plurality of times for said vocabulary item.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21, said system further comprising:

a fifth set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said fifth set of machine-readable instructions for executing said first, second, third, and fourth sets of machine-readable instructions for each said vocabulary item of said set.

23. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said learner controls the timing of the displaying and playing in said second and/or third set of machine-readable instructions.

24. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the displaying and playing of at least two said vocabulary items in said second and/or third set of machine-readable instructions occurs at a predetermined interval with respect to one another.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said interval is about 750 milliseconds between the completion of the displaying and playing of one said vocabulary item and the beginning of the displaying and playing of the subsequent said vocabulary item.

26. A system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said interval is the displaying and playing of about 30 said sets of vocabulary items per minute.

27. A system as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a trigger set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said trigger set of machine-readable instructions for permitting said learner to control said timing by pressing a key on a computer keyboard or a button on a mouse to begin the execution of at least one of said first, second, and third sets of machine-readable instructions with respect to at least one said vocabulary item.

28. A system as claimed in claim 20, farther comprising a repetition set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said repetition set of machine-readable instructions for permitting said learner to repeat the execution of at least one of said first, second, and third sets of machine-readable instructions with respect to at least one said vocabulary item.

29. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said audio files comprise recordings of each said vocabulary item spoken by a plurality of speakers;

and

wherein said fourth set of machine-readable instructions further selects said recordings of two or more of said plurality of speakers for said vocabulary item over the course of said execution said plurality of times.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said selected speaker is selected at random from said plurality of speakers.

31. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said stored data further comprises a set of combination vocabulary items, combination audio files, and combination graphics files stored in said at least one memory device, each said combination vocabulary item comprising at least one word from said set of vocabulary items and at least one other word, at least one said combination audio file corresponding to and comprising a spoken representation of each said combination vocabulary item, and at least one said combination graphics file corresponding to and comprising a visual representation of each said combination vocabulary item.

32. A system as claimed in claim 31, further comprising a combination set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said combination set of machine-readable instructions for selecting one said combination vocabulary item from said set of combination vocabulary items and reading the written form of said combination vocabulary item and/or one said corresponding combination graphics file and/or one said corresponding combination audio file from said at least one memory device, and for displaying on said screen the written form of said combination vocabulary item and/or said combination graphics file corresponding to said selected combination vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said combination audio file corresponding to said selected combination vocabulary item.

33. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the native language of the learner is not employed at any time during the execution of any said set of machine-readable instructions.

34. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used at all times during the execution of said sets of machine-readable instructions.

35. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the native language of the learner is not employed at any time during the execution of ally said set of machine-readable instructions, except with respect to instructions for the learner in the native language of said learner that said learner must follow in order to use said system.

36. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used at all times during the execution of said sets of machine-readable instructions, except with respect to instructions for the learner in the native language of said learner that said learner must follow in order to use said system.

37. A system for teaching a language, said system comprising:

a computer system, said computer system having a screen, an audio output device, and at least one memory device;

stored data comprising a set of vocabulary items stored in said at least one memory device, a plurality of audio files, and a plurality of graphics files, each said vocabulary item comprising at least one word, a plurality of said audio files corresponding to and comprising spoken representations of each said vocabulary item spoken by a plurality of speakers, at least one said graphics file corresponding to and comprising a visual representation of each said vocabulary item;

a first set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said first set of machine-readable instructions for selecting one said vocabulary item from said set of vocabulary items and reading the written form of said item and/or one said corresponding graphics file and/or one said corresponding audio file from said at least one memory device;

a second set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said second set of machine-readable instructions for displaying on said screen said graphics file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said audio file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item;

a third set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said third set of machine-readable instructions for displaying on said screen the written form of said vocabulary item and said graphics file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said audio file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item;

a fourth set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said fourth set of machine-readable instructions for executing said second and/or third set of machine-readable instructions a plurality of times for said vocabulary item, wherein said audio files corresponding to and comprising spoken representations of each said vocabulary item spoken by different speakers, selected from said plurality of different speakers at random, are played over the course of said execution said plurality of times; and

a fifth set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said fifth set of machine-readable instructions for executing said first, second, third, and fourth sets of machine-readable instructions for each said vocabulary item of said set.

38. A system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said learner controls the timing of the displaying and playing in said second and/or third set of machine-readable instructions.

39. A system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the displaying and playing of at least two said vocabulary items in said second and/or third set of machine-readable instructions occurs at a predetermined interval with respect to one another.

40. A system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said interval is about 750 milliseconds between the completion of the displaying and playing of one said vocabulary item and the beginning of the displaying and playing of the subsequent said vocabulary item.

41. A system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said interval is the displaying and playing of about 30 said sets of vocabulary items per minute.

42. A system as claimed in claim 38, further comprising a trigger set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said trigger set of machine-readable instructions for permitting said learner to control said timing by pressing a key on a computer keyboard or a button on a mouse to begin the execution of at least one of said first, second, and third sets of machine-readable instructions with respect to at least one said vocabulary item.

43. A system as claimed in claim 37, further comprising a repetition set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said repetition set of machine-readable instructions for permitting said learner to repeat the execution of at least one of said first, second, and third sets of machine-readable instructions with respect to at least one said vocabulary item.

44. A system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said stored data further comprises a set of combination vocabulary items, combination audio files, and combination graphics files stored in said at least one memory device, each said combination vocabulary item comprising at least one word from said set of vocabulary items and at least one other word, at least one said combination audio file corresponding to and comprising a spoken representation of each said combination vocabulary item, and at least one said combination graphics file corresponding to and comprising a visual representation of each said combination vocabulary item;

and

wherein said system further comprises a combination set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said combination set of machine-readable instructions for selecting one said combination vocabulary item from said set of combination vocabulary items and reading the written form of said combination vocabulary item and/or one said corresponding combination audio file and/or one said corresponding combination graphics file from said at least one memory device, and for displaying on said screen the written form of said combination vocabulary item and/or said combination graphics file corresponding to said selected combination vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said combination audio file corresponding to said selected combination vocabulary item.

45. A system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the native language of the learner is not employed at any time during the execution of any said set of machine-readable instructions, or wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used at all times during the execution of said sets of machine-readable instructions.

46. A system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the native language of the learner is not employed at any time during the execution of any said set of machine-readable instructions, and wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used at all times during the execution of said sets of machine-readable instructions;

except with respect to instructions for the learner in the native language of said learner that said learner must follow in order to use said system.

47. A method for teaching a language, said method comprising:

presenting, in rapid succession, each of a set of words or phrases to a learner by playing for said learner audio recordings of said words or phrases, while substantially simultaneously showing to said learner corresponding graphical icons visually representing said words or phrases;

wherein said presenting step is performed at least once without showing said learner the written form of said words or phrases, and at least once with the added step of showing to said learner the written form of said words or phrases substantially simultaneously with the playing of the corresponding audio recordings;

wherein the native language of said learner is not employed at any time during the performance of said method, and wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used during the performance of the steps of said method.

50. A method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising:

presenting, in rapid succession, each of a set of sentences and/or short phrases to said learner, each said sentence and/or short phrase comprising at least one word or phrase of said set of words or phrases, by having said learner hear said sentences and/or short phrases spoken while viewing corresponding graphical icons visually representing said sentences and/or short phrases.

52. A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein said set of words or phrases comprises about 90 words or phrases, and wherein said words or phrases are spoken and displayed at a rate of about 750 milliseconds apart.

55. A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein said set of words or phrases comprises about 90 words or phrases, and wherein said words or phrases are spoken and displayed at a rate of about 30 words or phrases per minute.

58. A method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising:

while displaying to said a learner a graphical representation of a sentence or short phrase comprising one of said words or phrases combined with at least one other word, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said sentence or short phrase.

48. A method for teaching a language, said method comprising:

presenting, in rapid succession, each of a set of words or phrases to a learner by playing for a learner audio recordings of said words or phrases, while substantially simultaneously showing to said learner corresponding graphical icons visually representing said words or phrases;

wherein said presenting step is performed at least once without showing said learner the written form of said words or phrases, and at least once with the added step of showing to said learner the written form of said words or phrases substantially simultaneously with the playing of the corresponding audio recordings;

wherein the native language of said learner is not employed at any time during the performance of said method, and wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used during the performance of the steps of said method, with the exception of providing intrusions for the learner in the native language of said learner that said learner must follow in order to learn using said method.

51. A method as claimed in claim 48, further comprising:

presenting, in rapid succession, each of a set of sentences and/or short phrases to said learner, each said sentence and/or short phrase comprising at least one word or phrase of said set of words or phrases, by having said learner hear said sentences and/or short phrases spoken while viewing corresponding graphical icons visually representing said sentences and/or short phrases.

53. A method as claimed in claim 48, wherein said set of words or phrases comprises about 90 words or phrases, and wherein said words or phrases are spoken and displayed at a rate of about 750 milliseconds apart.

56. A method as claimed in claim 48, wherein said set of words or phrases comprises about 90 words or phrases, and wherein said words or phrases are spoken and displayed at a rate of about 30 words or phrases per minute.

59. A method as claimed in claim 48, further comprising:

while displaying to said a learner a graphical representation of a sentence or short phrase comprising one of said words or phrases combined with at least one other word, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said sentence or short phrase.

49. A method for teaching a language, said method comprising:

presenting, in rapid succession, each of a set of words or phrases to a learner by playing for a learner audio recordings of said words or phrases, while substantially simultaneously showing to said learner, by random selection, either corresponding graphical icons visually representing said words or phrases alone, or corresponding graphical icons visually representing said words or phrases together with the written form of said words or phrases;

wherein the native language of said learner is not employed at any time during the performance of said method, and wherein the language being taught is the exclusive language used during the performance of the steps of said method, with the exception of providing instructions for the learner in the native language of said learner that said learner must follow in order to learn using said method.

54. A method as claimed in claim 49, wherein said set of words or phrases comprises about 90 words or phrases, and wherein said words or phrases are spoken and displayed at a rate of about 750 milliseconds apart

57. A method as claimed in claim 49, wherein said set of words or phrases comprises about 90 words or phrases, and wherein said words or phrases are spoken and displayed at a rate of about 30 words or phrases per minute.

60. A method for teaching a language, said method comprising:

while displaying to a learner a graphical representation of a vocabulary item comprising at least one word, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said vocabulary item;

while displaying to a learner both a graphical representation of said vocabulary item and the written form of said vocabulary item, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said vocabulary item; and

while displaying to a learner at least a graphical representation of a sentence or short phrase comprising said vocabulary item combined with at least one other word, playing to said learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of said sentence or short phrase.

61. A system for teaching a language, said system comprising:

a computer system, said computer system having a screen, an audio output device, and at least one memory device;

stored data comprising a set of vocabulary items stored in said at least one memory device, a plurality of audio files, and a plurality of graphics files, each said vocabulary item comprising at least one word, at least one said audio file corresponding to and comprising a spoken representation of each said vocabulary item, at least one said graphics file corresponding to and comprising a visual representation of each said vocabulary item;

said stored data further comprising a set of combination vocabulary items, combination audio files, and combination graphics files stored in said at least one memory device, each said combination vocabulary item comprising at least one word from said set of vocabulary items and at least one other word, at least one said combination audio file corresponding to and comprising a spoken representation of each said combination vocabulary item, and at least one said combination graphics file corresponding to and comprising a visual representation of each said combination vocabulary item;

a first set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said first set of machine-readable instructions for selecting one said vocabulary item from said set of vocabulary items, for reading the written form of said vocabulary item and/or at least one said corresponding audio file and/or at least one said corresponding graphics file from said at least one memory device;

a second set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said second set of machine-readable instructions for displaying on said screen said graphics file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said audio file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item;

a third set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said third set of machine-readable instructions for displaying on said screen the written form of said vocabulary item and said graphics file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said audio file corresponding to said selected vocabulary item; and

a combination set of machine-readable instructions stored in said at least one memory device, said combination set of machine-readable instructions for selecting one said combination vocabulary item from said set of combination vocabulary items and reading the written form of said combination vocabulary item and/or one said corresponding combination graphics file and/or one said corresponding combination audio file from said at least one memory device, and for displaying on said screen the written form of said combination vocabulary item and/or said combination graphics file corresponding to said selected combination vocabulary item, and substantially simultaneously playing via said audio output device said combination audio file corresponding to said selected combination vocabulary item.

62. A method for teaching a language, said method comprising:

presenting, in rapid succession, each of a set of words or phrases to a learner by playing for said learner audio recordings of said words or phrases, while substantially simultaneously showing to said learner corresponding graphical icons visually representing said words or phrases; and

presenting, in rapid succession, each of a set of sentences and/or short phrases to said learner, each said sentence and/or short phrase comprising at least one word or phrase of said set of words or phrases, by having said learner hear said sentences and/or short phrases spoken while viewing corresponding graphical icons visually representing said sentences and/or short phrases;

wherein at least one said presenting step is performed at least once without showing said learner the written form of said corresponding word, phrase, sentence, or short phrase, and at least once with the added step of showing to said learner the written form of said corresponding word, phrase, sentence, or short phrase, substantially simultaneously with the playing of the corresponding audio recordings.