Abstract: A modularized computer-aided language learning system utilizing a unique user interface and modularized presentation modules to assist users to learn a language. The system presents a presentation module including a first description of a presentation subject and a placeholder indicating that a second description of the presentation subject is missing from the presentation module. Each of the first description of the presentation subject and the second description of the presentation subject is one of a textual type, a visual type and an audio type. Separated from the presentation module, the system presents the second description of the presentation subject, and receives a user input indicating an association of the presented second description to presentation module related to the presentation subject. Feedback is provided indicating the correctness of the association. The disclosure also describes a unique program design approach to form training programs using the presentation modules.

Abstract: A student providing a multi-word response in a computerized language teaching system provides a manual input concurrently with each responsive word. For example, he might enter a keystroke correspondent to the first letter of each word. When using the teaching computer silently, a student will typically “speak” each word mentally as he enters a keystroke, so the limited experience is almost as effective as speaking out loud. When a student types one or more keystrokes concurrently with each word that he speaks, the computer will be able to detect when a student is responding with a correct word, but merely mispronouncing it. Also, since the computer will receive a keystroke as the student starts each new word, it is better able to distinguish the boundaries between words and recognize them more reliably.

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 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.