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 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 language prosody includes audibly conveying a phrase or sentence; audibly conveying a non-lexical version of at least a portion of the phrase or sentence; prompting a language learner to repeat said at least portion of said phrase or sentence in a non-lexical form; determining in a computer process whether said non-lexical phrase or sentence repeated by said language learner was performed correctly; and indicating to said language learner whether said non-lexical phrase or sentence repeated by said language learner was performed correctly.

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.