Foreign language instruction over the internet

• US 20060194184A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Geum S. Wagner
• Original Assignee: Geum S. Wagner
• Inventors: Wagner, Geum S.
• Application Number:
  US11/066,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20060194184A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/06 Foreign languages with audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

This system provides cyber literary clubs over the internet. There is an emphasis on debate and discussion and writing in the foreign language. In one embodiment, native speaking teachers of the language engage in real time discussion via audio video and multimedia communications with students. Students in various physical locations read written novels, stories, newspapers, etc. in the language being studied. In another embodiment, students are instructed in more than one foreign language at a time. In another embodiment students are instructed in their native languages in academic subjects over the internet.

Claims

1. The process of instruction in a foreign language to a student by a teacher using the internet comprising the steps:

a. transmitting to the student a literary reading in the foreign language and a discussion guideline,

b. reading the literary reading and discussion guideline by the student,

c. discussing the reading and discussion guideline by the student and a teacher whose native language is the foreign language using the foreign language and synchronous, live and interactive voice or video techniques on the internet,

d. writing an essay based on the reading and guideline and discussion by the student,

e. transmitting the essay by the student to the teacher,

f. grading the essay and commenting on the essay by the teacher, and

g. transmitting the grades and comments by the teacher to the student.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the student and the teacher are in different countries.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the transmittal in steps a., e. or g. is via the internet.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the transmittal in steps a., e. or g. is via conventional means.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the process supplements instruction in the foreign language received by the student at an educational institute attended by the student.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the discussion of step c. includes assistance to the student by the teacher in the foreign language pronunciation and usage.

7. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step following step g.:

h. playing a game wherein the foreign language proficiencies of one or more students are evaluated by the teacher.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the game comprises the steps:

a′

. transmitting questions to the student by the teacher,

b′

. answering the questions by the student,

c′

. transmitting the answers by the student to the teacher,

d′

. grading the answers and commenting on the answers by the teacher, and

e′

. transmitting the grades and comments by the teacher to the student.

9. The process of claim 7 wherein the game is played using the internet.

10. The process of instruction in a foreign language to a group of students by a teacher using the internet comprising the steps:

a. combining a group of students having similar proficiency in the foreign language into a team,

b. transmitting to the student members of the team a literary reading in the foreign language and a discussion guideline,

c. reading the literary reading and discussion guideline by the students,

d. discussing the reading and essay by each member of the team and a teacher whose native language is the foreign language using the foreign language, synchronous and live and interactive voice or video techniques on the internet,

e. writing an essay based on the reading and guideline and discussion by each member of the team of students,

f. transmitting an essay by each member of the team of students to the teacher,

g. grading the essays and commenting on the essays by the teacher, and

h. transmitting the grades and comments by the teacher to each member of the team of students.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein the teacher and at least one member of the team are in at least two different countries.

12. The process of claim 10 wherein the students are in at least two different countries.

13. The process of claim 10 wherein the transmittal in step b., f., or h. is via the internet.

14. The process of claim 10 wherein the transmittal in step b. f. or h. is via conventional means.

15. The process of claim 10 wherein the students in the team formed in step a. do not share the same native language.

16. The process of claim 10 wherein the process supplements instruction in the foreign language received by the student at an educational institute attended by the student.

17. The process of claim 10 wherein the discussion of step d. includes assistance to the student by the teacher in the foreign language pronunciation and usage.

18. The process of claim 10 further comprising the step following step h.:

i. playing a game by the student team members wherein the foreign language proficiencies of more than one team are evaluated and compared.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein the game comprises the steps:

a′

. transmitting questions to the students by the teacher,

b′

. answering the questions by the students,

c′

. transmitting the answers by the students to the teacher,

d′

. grading the answers and commenting on the answers by the teacher, and

e′

. transmitting the grades and comments by the teacher to the students.

20. The process of claim 19 wherein the game is played using the internet.

21. The process of learning a foreign language by a group of students using the internet comprising the steps:

a. combining a group of students having a similar proficiency in the foreign language into a readers club,

b. transmitting to the club members readings in the foreign language, and

c. discussing the reading by the members of the readers club using the foreign language and live and interactive voice or video techniques on the internet.

22. The process of claim 21 wherein the club members are in at least two countries.

23. The process of claim 21 wherein the readings are transmitted via the internet.

24. The process of claim 21 wherein the readings are transmitted via conventional means.

25. The process of claim 21 wherein the club members do not all share the same native language.

26. The process of learning an academic subject by a group of students using the internet comprising the steps:

a. combining a group of students having a similar proficiency in the academic subject and the same native language into a readers club,

b. transmitting to the club members readings in the student'"'"'s native language, and

c. discussing the readings by the members of the readers club using the student'"'"'s native language and live and interactive voice or video techniques on the internet.

27. The process of claim 26 wherein the academic subjects are language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies.

28. The process of claim 26 wherein the club members are in at least two countries.

29. The process of claim 26 wherein the readings are transmitted via the internet.

30. The process of claim 26 wherein the readings are transmitted via conventional means.