Abstract: A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to be executed by a processor includes code to cause the processor to receive acoustic data representing an utterance spoken by a language learner in a non-native language in response to prompting the language learner to recite a word in the non-native language and receive a pronunciation lexicon of the word in the non-native language. The pronunciation lexicon includes at least one alternative pronunciation of the word based on a pronunciation lexicon of a native language of the language learner. The code causes the processor to generate an acoustic model of the at least one alternative pronunciation in the non-native language and identify a mispronunciation of the word in the utterance based on a comparison of the acoustic data with the acoustic model. The code causes the processor to send feedback related to the mispronunciation of the word to the language learner.

Abstract: A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to be executed by a processor includes code to cause the processor to receive acoustic data representing an utterance spoken by a language learner in a non-native language in response to prompting the language learner to recite a word in the non-native language and receive a pronunciation lexicon of the word in the non-native language. The pronunciation lexicon includes at least one alternative pronunciation of the word based on a pronunciation lexicon of a native language of the language learner. The code causes the processor to generate an acoustic model of the at least one alternative pronunciation in the non-native language and identify a mispronunciation of the word in the utterance based on a comparison of the acoustic data with the acoustic model. The code causes the processor to send feedback related to the mispronunciation of the word to the language learner.

Abstract: A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to be executed by a processor includes code to cause the processor to receive acoustic data representing an utterance spoken by a language learner in a non-native language in response to prompting the language learner to recite a word in the non-native language and receive a pronunciation lexicon of the word in the non-native language. The pronunciation lexicon includes at least one alternative pronunciation of the word based on a pronunciation lexicon of a native language of the language learner. The code causes the processor to generate an acoustic model of the at least one alternative pronunciation in the non-native language and identify a mispronunciation of the word in the utterance based on a comparison of the acoustic data with the acoustic model. The code causes the processor to send feedback related to the mispronunciation of the word to the language learner.

Abstract: A method and system for teaching non-lexical speech effects includes delexicalizing a first speech segment to provide a first prosodic speech signal and data indicative of the first prosodic speech signal is stored in a computer memory. The first speech segment is audibly played to a language student and the student is prompted to recite the speech segment. The speech uttered by the student in response to the prompt, is recorded.

Abstract: Methods and systems for teaching a user a non-native language include creating models representing phonological errors in the non-native language and generating with the models non-native pronunciations for a native pronunciation. The non-native pronunciations may be used for detecting phonological errors in an utterance spoken in the non-native language by the user. The models can include a native to non-native phone translation model and a non-native phone language model.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes measuring a disparity between two speech samples by segmenting both a reference speech sample and a student speech sample into speech units. A duration disparity can be determined for units that are not adjacent to each other in the reference speech sample. A duration disparity can also be determined for the corresponding units in the student speech sample. A difference can then be calculated between the student speech sample duration disparity and the reference speech sample duration disparity.

Abstract: A transformation can be derived which would represent that processing required to convert a male speech model to a female speech model. That transformation is subjected to a predetermined modification, and the modified transformation is applied to a female speech model to produce a synthetic children's speech model. The male and female models can be expressed in terms of a vector representing key values defining each speech model and the derived transformation can be in the form of a matrix that would transform the vector of the male model to the vector of the female model. The modification to the derived matrix comprises applying an exponential p which has a value greater than zero and less than 1.

Abstract: A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to be executed by a processor includes code to cause the processor to receive acoustic data representing an utterance spoken by a language learner in a non-native language in response to prompting the language learner to recite a word in the non-native language and receive a pronunciation lexicon of the word in the non-native language. The pronunciation lexicon includes at least one alternative pronunciation of the word based on a pronunciation lexicon of a native language of the language learner. The code causes the processor to generate an acoustic model of the at least one alternative pronunciation in the non-native language and identify a mispronunciation of the word in the utterance based on a comparison of the acoustic data with the acoustic model. The code causes the processor to send feedback related to the mispronunciation of the word to the language learner.

Abstract: Herein, a method is disclosed, which may include delexicalizing a first speech segment to provide a first prosodic speech signal; storing data indicative of the first prosodic speech signal in a computer memory; audibly playing the first speech segment to a language student; prompting the student to recite the speech segment; and recording audible speech uttered by the student in response to the prompt.

Abstract: A method for measuring a disparity between two speech samples is disclosed that may include determining upon a speech granularity level at which to compare the rhythm of a student speech sample and a reference speech sample; determining a duration disparity between a first speech unit and a second, non-adjacent speech unit in the student speech sample; determining a duration disparity between a first speech unit and a second, non-adjacent speech unit in the reference speech sample; and calculating the difference between the student speech-unit duration disparity and the reference speech-unit disparity.

Abstract: A transformation can be derived which would represent that processing required to convert a male speech model to a female speech model. That transformation is subjected to a predetermined modification, and the modified transformation is applied to a female speech model to produce a synthetic children's speech model. The male and female models can be expressed in terms of a vector representing key values defining each speech model and the derived transformation can be in the form of a matrix that would transform the vector of the male model to the vector of the female model. The modification to the derived matrix comprises applying an exponential p which has a value greater than zero and less than 1.