Interactive Language Education System and Method

• US 20100304342A1
• Filed: 11/30/2006
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Linguacomm Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Linguacomm Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Zilber, Julie R.
• Application Number:
  US12/095,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20100304342A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/157
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) providing the learner an opportunity to participate in a supplementary lesson.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein utterances spoken by the learner throughout said lesson are recorded.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said utterances are compared to a grammar including common errors of speakers of a first language associated with the learner when using said target language.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein a log is generated for the learner.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said log is presented to a teacher of the learner.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said lesson is a lesson in vocabulary.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said lesson is a lesson in grammar.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said lesson is a lesson in pronunciation.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said lesson is an interactive conversation with said speech recognition system.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. The grammar of claim 13 wherein said incorrect pronunciations are common mispronunciations of said selected words by speakers of a second language.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

(j) identifying a pronunciation issue to be addressed in the lesson;

(k). providing an example of said pronunciation issue;

(l) identifying a word, and providing a common mispronunciation of a target phoneme in said word by a particular first language group;

(m) providing a phrase that includes said word;

(n) providing a second feedback statement for mispronunciation of said word;

(o) providing instructions on how to pronounce said word; and

(p) providing a sample dialogue including said word.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

(q) providing a context specific vocabulary in said sample dialogue, and an explanation of its meaning in said dialogue;

a sentence from said dialogue that incorporates said vocabulary;

a restatement of said sentence from said dialogue that replaces said context specific vocabulary with another word that retain an original meaning associated with said vocabulary; and

a restatement of said sentence from said dialogue that replaces said vocabulary with another word or words that change the meaning of said sentence.