Abstract: A main computer runs a primary program performing an ongoing task, the primary program being optimized for performance on a desktop computer. A computerized device remote from the main computer runs an adjunct program which is a modified version of the primary program and is optimized for performance in a hand free mode. Communication means provides communication between the main computer and computerized device, and the main computer and computerized device interact through the communication means so that each influences the operation of the other.

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 stores code representing instructions to be executed by a processor. The code causes the processor to receive a request from a user of a client device to initiate a speech recognition engine for a web page displayed at the client device. In response to the request, the code causes the processor to (1) download, from a server associated with a first party, the speech recognition engine into the client device; and then (2) analyze, using the speech recognition engine, content of the web page including text in an identified language to produce analyzed content based on the identified language, where the content of the web page is received from a server associated with a second party. The code further causes the processor to send a signal to cause the client device to present the analyzed content to the user at the client device.

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 main computer runs a primary program performing an ongoing task, the primary program being optimized for performance on a desktop computer. A computerized device remote from the main computer runs an adjunct program which is a modified version of the primary program and is optimized for performance in a hands free mode. Communication mean provides communication between the main computer and computerized device, and the main computer and computerized device interact through the communication means so that each influences the operation of the other.

Abstract: A system and method for language instruction for implementation on a language instruction system that includes a computer system, is disclosed, wherein the method may include identifying a speech segment in a target language, that is susceptible to mispronunciation by language learners; selecting an auditory attribute for use in playing the identified speech segment by the language instruction system; altering a level of the auditory attribute to differ from a naturally occurring level of the attribute; and playing a first text sequence by the language instruction system, including at least one instance of the identified speech segment, using the altered level of the auditory attribute.

Abstract: A non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to be executed by a processor. The code causes the processor to receive a request from a user of a client device to initiate a speech recognition engine for a web page displayed at the client device. In response to the request, the code causes the processor to (1) download, from a server associated with a first party, the speech recognition engine into the client device; and then (2) analyze, using the speech recognition engine, content of the web page including text in an identified language to produce analyzed content based on the identified language, where the content of the web page is received from a server associated with a second party. The code further causes the processor to send a signal to cause the client device to present the analyzed content to the user at the client device.

Abstract: A non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to be executed by a processor. The code causes the processor to receive a request from a user of a client device to initiate a speech recognition engine for a web page displayed at the client device. In response to the request, the code causes the processor to (1) download, from a server associated with a first party, the speech recognition engine into the client device; and then (2) analyze, using the speech recognition engine, content of the web page including text in an identified language to produce analyzed content based on the identified language, where the content of the web page is received from a server associated with a second party. The code further causes the processor to send a signal to cause the client device to present the analyzed content to the user at the client device.

Abstract: A main computer runs a primary program performing an ongoing task, the primary program being optimized for performance on a desktop computer. A computerized device remote from the main computer runs an adjunct program which is a modified version of the primary program and is optimized for performance in a hands free mode. Communication mean provides communication between the main computer and computerized device, and the main computer and computerized device interact through the communication means so that each influences the operation of the other.

Abstract: A main computer runs a primary program performing an ongoing task, the primary program being optimized for performance on a desktop computer. A computerized device remote from the main computer runs an adjunct program which is a modified version of the primary program and is optimized for performance in a hands free mode. Communication means provides communication between the main computer and computerized device, and the main computer and computerized device interact through the communication means so that each influences the operation of the other.

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: In the field of language learning systems, proper pronunciation of words and phrases is an integral aspect of language learning, determining the proximity of the language learner's pronunciation to a standardized, i.e. ‘perfect’, pronunciation is utilized to guide the learner from imperfect toward perfect pronunciation. In this regard, a phoneme lattice scoring system is utilized, whereby an input from a user is transduced into the perfect pronunciation example in a phoneme lattice. The cost of this transduction may be determined based on a summation of substitutions, deletions and insertions of phonemes needed to transducer from the input to the perfect pronunciation of the utterance.

Abstract: In a communication between individuals having different levels of skill in a language, communication by the more skilled individual is controlled so as to keep it at a level understandable by the lesser skilled individual. For example, a native speaker's communication with a student learning his language (the target language) is monitored by an interface and compared with a stored model representing the student's knowledge and ability in the language. Should the native speaker communicate in a way that would not be understood by the student, for example, by using vocabulary or a sentence structure beyond the student's ability, the interface will notify the native speaker. The interface might then suggest an alternate word or sentence structure to the native speaker, inviting him to use the alternate communication. The native speaker can then substitute and send the alternate communication.

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 method and system for teaching a user a target language includes developing and constructing variable potential paths of nodes representing an exchange between two participants in a dialogue, prompting and selecting a path of nodes through a conversation graph of the target language, the path of nodes defining a dialogue; and determining whether the user is ready to perform the dialogue that has been constructed and defined by the path of nodes, the determination being based on a user model which represents the user's current ability in and current knowledge of, the target language. If the user is ready to perform the dialogue, the path of nodes is executed to allow the user to perform the dialogue defined thereby; and if the user is not ready to perform the dialogue, training the user on one or more nodes of the path of nodes.

Abstract: The content of an instructor-student interaction set in an automated teaching system is represented in a graph-based format. In a graph-based representation, not only can variations branch away from each other at a node (branching point), as in the tree-based representation, but they can also merge back together. Not only does this make the -structure more compact, but it increases the number of variations that can be represented in the content while simultaneously eliminating the need to individually author each variation.

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: The invention relates to a system and methods for detecting when a user is representing he is not fluent in a language in which he is fluent. The present system and methods are adapted to be used in conjunction with conventional and novel computer systems and methods and provides detection of concealment of language skills by a user.

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.