System and method for language instruction

• US 7,524,191 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosetta Stone Limited (Rosetta Stone Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rosetta Stone Limited (Rosetta Stone Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stolzfus, legal representative, Stolzfus, Allen G., Sider, Duane M., Marmorstein, Jack A., Stoltzfus, Eugene H., Keim, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOSSER, KATHLEEN MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US10/652,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20050048449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,065 Days
• Field of Search: 434/322,323,362,365,157,169,185,350
• US Class Current: 434/157
• 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

A system and method for language instruction is provided. In an embodiment, a method of language instruction is provided which comprises presenting a first description of an event responsive to a first perspective and presenting a second description of the event responsive to a second perspective, wherein the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in a common language. The first and second descriptions of the event can be provided in a variety of formats, such as in audio format or as text.

Claims

1. A language instruction method comprising the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language, and

if the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in text form, the first description of the event and the second description of the event are presented at the same time.

2. A language instruction method comprising the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description perspective is a perspective of the first individual in the event;

the second description perspective is a perspective of the second individual in the event;

the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in text form;

the first description of the event is presented in a first display area; and

the second description of the event is presented in a second display area adjacent to the first display area.

3. A language instruction method comprising the machine-executed step of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first word; and

the second description includes a second word which is synonym of the first word.

4. A language instruction method comprising the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language,

the first description includes a first phrase;

the second description includes a second phrase; and

one of the first phrase and the second phrase is an active voice, and the other of the first phrase and the second phrase is a passive voice.

5. A language instruction method comprising the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event ,wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first phrase of a first tense; and

the second description includes a second phrase of a second tense different from the first tense.

6. A language instruction method comprising the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language, and

the second description includes an idiomatic expression corresponding to an expression in the first description.

7. A machine-readable medium storing instruction which, upon execution by a data processing system, control the data processings system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language; and

the first description perspective is a perspective of the first individual in the event;

the second description perspective is a perspective of the second individual in the event;

the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in text form;

the first description of the event is presented in a first display area; and

the second description of the event is presented in a second display area adjacent to the first display area.

8. A machine-readable medium storing instructions which, upon execution by a data processing system, control the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description perspective of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description perspective is a perspective of the first individual in the event;

the second description perspective is a perspective of the second individual in the event;

the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in text form;

the first description of the event is presented in a first display area; and

the second description of the event is presented in a second display area adjacent to the first display area.

9. A machine-readable medium storing instructions which, upon execution by a data processing system, control the data processing system to perform the machine-executed step of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first word; and

the second description includes a second word that is a synonym of the first word.

10. A machine-readable medium storing instruction which, upon execution by a data processing system, control the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first phrase;

the second description includes a second phrase; and

one of the first phrase and the second phrase is an active voice, and the other of the first phrase and the second phrase is a passive voice.

11. A machine-readable medium storing instructions which, upon execution by a data processing system, control the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first phrase of a first tense; and

the second description includes a second phrase of a second tense different from the first tense.

12. A machine-readable medium storing instruction which, upon execution by a data processing system, control the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language; and

the second description includes an idiomatic expression corresponding to an expression in the first description.

13. A data processing system comprising a data processor configured to excuted machine-readable instructions, the data processor, upon execution of instructions, controls the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language; and

if the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in text form, the first description of the event and the second description of the event are presented at the same time.

14. A data processing system comprising a data processor configure to execute machine-readable instructions, the data processor, upon execution of instructions, controls the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event,wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event ,wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description perspective is a perspective of the first individual in the event;

the second description perspective is a perspective of the second individual in the event;

the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in text form;

the first description of the event is presented in a first display area; and

the second description of the event is presented in a second display area adjacent to the first display area.

15. A data processing system comprising a data processor configured to execute machine readable instructions, the data processor, upon execution of instructions, controls the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective as one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first word; and

the second description includes a second word which is a synonym of the first word.

16. A data processing system comprising a data processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions, the data processor, upon execution of instructions, controls the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first phrase;

the second description includes a second phrase; and

one of the first phrase and the second phrase is an active voice, and the other of the first phrase and the second phrase is a passive voice.

17. A data processing system comprising a data processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions, the data processor, upon execution of instructions, controls the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of:

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first phrase of a first tense; and

the second description includes a second phrase of a second tense different from the first tense.

18. A data processing system comprising a data processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions, the data processor, upon execution of instructions, controls the data processing system to perform the machine-executed steps of;

accessing data related to an event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language; and

the second description includes an idiomatic expression corresponding to an expression in the first description.

19. A system for providing language instruction comprising:

means for accessing data related to an event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

means for receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

means for presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

means for receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

means for presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language; and

if the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in text form, the first description of the event and the second description of the event are presented at the same time.

20. A system for providing language instruction comprising:

means for accessing data related to an event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual on the event, and a narration of the event;

means for receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

means for presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

means for receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

means for presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description perspective is a perspective of the first individual in the event;

the second description perspective is a perspective of the second individual in the event;

the first description of the event and the second description of the event are in text form;

the first description of the event is presented in a first display area; and

the second description of the event is presented in a second display area adjacent to the first display area.

21. A system for providing language instruction comprising:

means for accessing data related to an event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

means for receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

means for presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

means for receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

means for presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first word; and

the second description includes a second word which is a synonym of the first word.

22. A system for providing language instruction comprising:

means for accessing data related to an event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

means for receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

means for presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

means for receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

means for presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first phrase;

the second description includes a second phrase; and

one of the first phrase and the second phrase is an active voice, and the other of the first phrase and the second phrase is a passive voice.

23. A system for providing language instruction comprising:

means for accessing data related to an event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

means for receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

means for presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

means for receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

means for presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language;

the first description includes a first phase of a first tense; and

the second description includes a second phrase of a second tense different from the first tense.

24. A system for providing language instruction comprising:

means for accessing data related to an event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a first description perspective of the event, wherein the first description perspective is one of a perspective of a first individual in the event, a perspective of a second individual in the event, and a narration of the event;

means for receiving the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for presenting the event based on the accessed data; and

means for presenting a first description of the event according to the user selection of the first description perspective of the event;

means for providing a selection to solicit a user selection of a second description perspective of the event, wherein the second description perspective is different from the first description perspective;

means for receiving the user selection of the second description perspective of the event; and

means for presenting a second description of the event according to the user selection of the second description perspective of the event;

wherein;

the first description and the second description are in the same language; and

the second description includes an idiomatic expression corresponding to an expression in the first description.