Abstract: A system and method for learning a language includes displaying set of first terms that enables the user to begin a sentence. A selection of a first term of the set of first terms causes a first set of child terms to be retrieved based on the selection of the first term and is displayed to the user. The first set of child terms may combine with the first term based on grammatical rules or semantic conventions. A second set of child terms may be displayed based on the first set of child terms and/or completion of the sentence. The meaning of the sentence may determine at least one of (a) a subsequent display of first terms, (b) modification of a previously presented display of terms, (c) subsequent display of a question or dialog that is responsive to the formed sentence, and (d) subsequent display of a narrative element.

Abstract: The method facilitating language learning utilizes a DVD authoring tool to arrange a first stream of video clips and synchronize audio in a target language. The first stream may be comprised of dialogue-rich, live-action films or animations. A symbolic marker is placed in a subtitle track associated with the first stream. The marker symbolizes upcoming complex word usage, grammar patterns, idiomatic expressions, and colloquialisms in the first stream, and is linked to a second stream of video clips, the second stream of video clips including synchronized audio of an instructional nature regarding the target language of the first stream of video clips. During DVD play, user selection of the symbolic marker pauses the first stream and plays the second stream, the first stream resuming upon termination of the second stream. A digital book is included with each DVD including the translated script, vocabulary list, lesson summaries, and exercises.

Abstract: The invention can be efficiently used for intensively learning different disciplines, including foreign languages, and for forming and automating operational skills of professionals in different field of activity. It makes it possible to obtain a technical result and a high-quality intensive training. The use of a training aid is developed according to a synergetic theory in the form of a synergetic training device and makes it possible to provide a synergetic variant of intensive training. The synergetic training device is embodied in a dynamic technical device consisting of several soundproof booths which comprise training facilities and technical means using a sensor system.

Abstract: A method and software for presenting reading fluency training to a user via a computer. The method includes presenting reading lessons to the user in a variety of formats and automatedly collecting data on the user's performance. The method uses the collected data to dynamically vary presentation formats, rates and content of the reading lessons throughout a reading fluency training session.

Abstract: A multimedia-based language learning method and system which includes implementing via one or more processors the steps of—receiving an input of multimedia content, where the multimedia content comprises a plurality of component tracks; separating the multimedia content into multimedia sections in which the plurality of component tracks share a same start and end time; retrieving a user model representing a learner's knowledge and/or interest in a foreign language; automatically assigning one or more learner-specific evaluations to the multimedia sections by evaluating one or more of the component tracks based on the user model within each of the multimedia sections; and adapting the multimedia content within the multimedia sections based on the assigned learner-specific evaluations to render the multimedia content more useful to the learner for learning the foreign language.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for locale and operating platform independent font selection. In an operating platform having an operating platform configuration and an associated locale, a locale and operating platform independent font selection method can include parsing a pre-established font properties file to identify whether a desired font referenced in the font properties file supports at least one of the operating platform configuration and the associated locale. Consequently, if it is indicated within the font properties file that the desired font supports either or both of the operating platform configuration and the associated locale, the desired font can be utilized in the operating platform.

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: Reverse Language Resonance methods are described for instructing a target language to a learner who speaks a native language. The methods may include providing to the learner a predetermined lesson comprising a lesson text of a plurality of lesson words that are exclusively in the target language. The methods may further include priming implicit memory of the learner. The methods may further include displaying the lesson text on a display and playing a recorded version of spoken words of the lesson text on an audio output while the lesson text is displayed. The methods may further include instructing the learner to perform Concurrent Triple Activity including simultaneously reading the lesson text on the display, listening to the spoken words from the audio output, and repeating the spoken words along with the recorded version into an audio input while the recorded version is playing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are computer-based language phoneme practice systems, products, programs, and methods comprising a digital processing device and a computer program that creates a language phoneme practice engine, wherein said engine comprises: a taxonomy of phonemes of a target language; a software module for providing an interface for practicing each said phoneme in said taxonomy, wherein said interface allows a learner to optionally access a visual representation and an auditory representation of each said phoneme in said taxonomy; and a software module for providing an interface for practicing each said phoneme in the context of the beginning, middle, and end of words of said target language, wherein said interface allows a learner to optionally access a visual and an auditory representation of each said word and each said phoneme in each said word.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for foreign language instruction. In one exemplary aspect, a “cascading” user interface is used for foreign language instruction in limited form factor devices. The cascading user interface is based on a “multiple choice” type selection, where each selection is further “modified” in subsequent selections. By cascading multiple steps for each translation step, the device can represent a significantly larger set than would otherwise be possible, given the limitations of the user interface. Proper (and improper) selection may be indicated e.g., via a chime, animation, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are computer-based language immersion teaching systems, products, programs, and methods for learners aged about 3 to about 10 years comprising a digital processing device and a computer program that creates a language immersion teaching environment, wherein said environment comprises a plurality of learning activities associated with a target language, and wherein said plurality of activities comprises: at least one learning activity based on a taxonomy of phonemes; at least one learning activity selected from: songs, chants, books, poems, puzzles, games, art activities, and printable activities; voiceover audio in said target language; and a software module for recording said learner's pronunciation and comparing it to one or more model pronunciations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are computer-based language immersion teaching systems, products, programs, and methods comprising a digital processing device and a computer program that creates a language immersion teaching environment, wherein said environment comprises: a plurality of learning activities associated with a target language; a software module for providing voiceover audio in said target language; and a software module for providing translation of said voiceover and/or text from said target language to a specified language, wherein said translation is both written and voiced, and wherein said software module for providing translation of voiceover and/or text is adapted for use by a mentor to a learner of said target language.

Abstract: Both a system and method are provided for transliterating a name written in the letters of an alphabet of a source language to a name in the letters of an alphabet of a target language. The system includes instructions to determine whether the letters of the alphabets of the source and target languages are the same. If so, the instructions transliterate the name into the same letters used in the source language alphabet. If not, the instructions (1) determine the sound associated with each of the letters of the source language that form the name; (2) transliterate the letters into letters of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to create a same or similar sounding name in the letters of the IPA; (3) determine the sound associated with each of the letters of the target language, and (4) transliterate the letters of the IPA form into letters of the target language.

Abstract: A method for performing multi-level color based communication includes the steps of creating a plurality of individual color patterns, associating each of the plurality of individual color patterns with a known language character, and composing a message containing one or more of the individual color patterns.

Abstract: This application is for the purpose of obtaining a Utility Patent titled “Learn another Language through Song”. This method is a new way to learn another language. As explained in the application another language will be learned almost entirely through one line, or chorus or verse in one language and repeated in a second language in song.

Abstract: System and method for learning scripts of Chinese character-based languages includes forming a list of user-recognized symbols in a Chinese character-based language, each of the symbols having an associated key with a respective bridge. A complex Chinese multi-character to be learned and added to the recognized list is identified. A set of the user-recognized symbols within the multi-character is recognized. A mnemonic in a language known to the user is formed for recalling the written form of the multi-character. The mnemonic is based upon the keys and bridges associated with the recognized set of symbols within the multi-character. The mnemonic is used to remember the multi-character and, thereby, add the multi-character to the recognized list. Chinese radicals can be sources associated with icons having a logical similarity thereto. The source has the bridge in upper case and three icons use two combinations of lower/upper case and two lower case letters.

Abstract: The invention is intended to facilitate language learning by improving sound identification and perception. It is well known that foreign language students in particular have great difficulty in mastering the sounds of the foreign language being learned. Among other possible causes, this is due to interferences that occur between the written form of the target language and the sounds that the students associates mentally with used in the written form. In the case of foreign language learning, the aforementioned association comes fundamentally from the native language of the learner. The invention relates to a training method for learning languages involving the use of graphic entities which enable the sounds of the target language to be manipulated without creating interferences between the writ en and spoken form.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for providing targeted messages to a person using telephony services by generating user profile information from telephony data and using the user profile information to retrieve targeted messages.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for generating a vocal organ animation very similar to a pronunciation pattern of a native speaker in order to support foreign language pronunciation education. The present disclosure checks an adjacent phonetic value in phonetic value constitution information, extracts a detail phonetic value based on the adjacent phonetic value, extracting pronunciation pattern information corresponding to the detail phonetic value and pronunciation pattern information corresponding to a transition section allocated between detail phonetic values, and performs interpolation to the extracted pronunciation pattern information, thereby generating a vocal organ animation.

Abstract: A reversible written language learning system uses sets of related words, where each word in the set is represented in a first and second language and has an associated picture. Each word and picture is displayed on its own tile. Some tiles displaying words in one language or associated pictures are displayed in a grid. Corresponding tiles having words in the other language or associated pictures are kept apart from the grid and displayed one at a time as tiles to be matched. A user matches the tile to be matched with a corresponding tile in the grid. Upon a successful match, the grid tile selected is flipped over or grayed out, and a new tile to be matched is displayed. The tiles in the grid and the tiles kept apart are easily swapped. The system lends itself to any language pair, but particularly to Sino-Tibetan/Indo-European language pairs.

Abstract: The teachings described herein generally relate to a multilingual electronic translation of a source phrase to a destination language selected from multiple languages, and this can be accomplished through the use of a network environment. The electronic translation can occur as a spoken translation, can be in real-time, and can mimic the voice of the user of the system.

Abstract: A game machine has an LCD, a cross key, and a memory. The memory stores a plurality of words and a plurality of translations each corresponding to the plurality of words. A computer of the game machine displays at least one of the plurality of words on the LCD, and updatedly displays on the LCD a word which is being displayed on the LCD by being changed to another word in response to an operation of a certain push portion of a cross key. The translation of the word which is thus being displayed on the LCD is updatedly displayed in place of the word during a period from accepting an operation of another push portion of the cross key to cancelling the operation, and when the operation is cancelled, the word which was displayed on the LCD before the operation is displayed in place of the translation which is being displayed on the LCD.

Abstract: A literacy system provides teaching for reading and writing skills particularly adapted to students with autistic spectrum disorders (ADS). In one embodiment, the literacy system may include exercises for teaching visual sequencing, motor skills, phonology, semantics, syntax, and text. The literacy system may have a pre-reading section, which includes exercises for developing visual sequencing skills and motor skills prior to teaching the skills of reading and writing words.

Abstract: A software program is used to translate, define, phonetically pronounce and teach contextual use of select document text to a user. A broad range of computer documents may be manipulated, highlighted, or flagged for immediate use in the program. Tools within the program are used to save selected words, phrases, and passages into user-defined lists. The lists may be further manipulated by adding, deleting, or flagging select list members to enhance user memorization and learning. Multiple languages and dialects may be selected within the program translation tools. The program is especially effective in assisting foreign employees in perfecting language skills and enhancing productivity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically training diction of a person acquires a speech data stream of the person as the person is speaking, compares the words in the speech data stream to a set of predefined undesirable phrases provided in a look-up table and upon detection of one of the predefined undesirable phrases in the speech data stream, alerting the person by an alarm.

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: In a method for teaching a vocabulary, a computer receives a user selection of a chapter from a plurality of chapters in a Chinese-English textbook, a user selection of a language in which to display questions in a user interface, wherein the language in which to display the questions is one of English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Pin Yin, and a user selection of a language in which to receive answers to the questions in the user interface, wherein the language in which to receive the answers is another of the one of English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Pin Yin. The computer determines a question including a vocabulary word in the chapter and in the language in which to display the questions. In response to receiving an answer to the question in the language in which to receive the answers, the computer determines if the answer is correct.

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: In a multi-lingual environment, a method and apparatus for determining a language spoken in a speech utterance. The method and apparatus test acoustic feature vectors extracted from the utterances against acoustic models associated with one or more of the languages. Speech to text is then performed for the language indicated by the acoustic testing, followed by textual verification of the resulting text. During verification, the resulting text is processed by language specific NLP and verified against textual models associated with the language. The system is self-learning, i.e., once a language is verified or rejected, the relevant feature vectors are used for enhancing one or more acoustic models associated with one or more languages, so that acoustic determination may improve.

Abstract: A representation of a virtual language teacher assists in language learning. The virtual language teacher may appear as a “talking head” in a video that a student views to practice pronunciation of a foreign language. A system for generating a virtual language teacher receives input text. The system may generate a video showing the virtual language teacher as a talking head having a mouth that moves in synchronization with speech generated from the input text. The video of the virtual language teacher may then be presented to the student.

Abstract: A method for learning scripts of Chinese character-based languages includes forming a list of user-recognized symbols in a Chinese character-based language, each of the symbols having an associated key with a respective bridge. A complex Chinese multi-character to be learned and added to the recognized list is identified. A set of the user-recognized symbols within the multi-character is recognized. A mnemonic in a language known to the user is formed for recalling the written form of the multi-character. The mnemonic is based upon the keys and bridges associated with the recognized set of symbols within the multi-character. The mnemonic is used to remember the multi-character and, thereby, add the multi-character to the recognized list. Chinese radicals can be sources associated with icons having a logical similarity thereto. The source has the bridge in upper case and three icons use two combinations of lower/upper case and two lower case letters.

Abstract: The teachings described herein generally relate to a system and method for multilingual teaching of numeric or language skills through an electronic translation of a source phrase to a destination language selected from multiple languages. The electronic translation can occur as a spoken translation, can be in real-time, and can mimic the voice of the user of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for reading education. In one embodiment, a method for recognizing an utterance spoken by a reader, includes receiving text to be read by the reader, generating a grammar for speech recognition, in accordance with the text, receiving the utterance, interpreting the utterance in accordance with the grammar, and outputting feedback indicative of reader performance.

Abstract: In a method for teaching a vocabulary, a computer receives a user selection of a chapter from a plurality of chapters in a Chinese-English textbook, a user selection of a language in which to display questions in a user interface, wherein the language in which to display the questions is one of English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Pin Yin, and a user selection of a language in which to receive answers to the questions in the user interface, wherein the language in which to receive the answers is another of the one of English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Pin Yin. The computer determines a question including a vocabulary word in the chapter and in the language in which to display the questions. In response to receiving an answer to the question in the language in which to receive the answers, the computer determines if the answer is correct.

Abstract: Electronic English Vocabulary Size Evaluation System for Chinese EFL Learners constructs a word frequency table from the British National Corpus, and randomly extracts sample words from the word frequency table to construct productive and identification items. With the data from over 1,000 test takers, the modern test theory, Item Response Theory, is introduced to carry out the model fit test. The model fit probability value is taken as the standard to pick out items. Simultaneously, the three major parameters of the items are calculated. The qualified items are divided into ten grades and stored in the item bank. Then they are randomly extracted to form the test paper by applying the normal distribution theory. Finally, the confidence limit and interval estimation principles are used in the system to evaluate Chinese EFL learners' productive and identification English vocabulary sizes. Therefore, the system has a higher reliability, maneuverability and technicality.

Abstract: A method for creating a combined character in a Chinese character learning game includes a first step of creating a portion representing a pronunciation of a combined character as a graphic character; a second step of a portion representing a meaning of the combined character as an additional graphic character(s); and a third step of disposing the graphic character(s) representing the meaning and the graphic character representing the pronunciation according to the positional relationship of the combined character. In the method, a graphic character of the combined character is formed by combining the two or more graphic characters.

Abstract: A method on a computing device for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to differentiate between rapidly presented stimuli. The method utilizes a sequence of phonemes from a confusable pair which are systematically manipulated to make discrimination between the phonemes less difficult or more difficult based on the success of the adult, such as processing the consonant and vowel portions of the phonemes by emphasizing the portions, stretching the portions, and/or separating the consonant and vowel portions by time intervals. As the adult improves in auditory processing, the discriminations are made progressively more difficult by reducing the amount of processing to that of normal speech.

Abstract: A literacy system provides teaching for reading and writing skills particularly adapted to students with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). In one embodiment, the literacy system may include exercises for teaching visual sequencing, motor skills, phonology, semantics, syntax, and text. The literacy system may have a pre-reading section, which includes exercises for developing visual sequencing skills and motor skills prior to teaching the skills of reading and writing words.

Abstract: A system for second language acquisition that trains the user's brain's auditory processing area to recognize phonemes, syllables, and words of a foreign language, by presenting videos of a word or phrase spoken at a slow rate and at a normal rate, and an interface for the user to enter the phonemes, syllables, and words that he or she has heard, with immediate responses indicating correct or incorrect entries. Additionally, said system for second language acquisition teaches simplified vocabulary and grammar; enables users to add additional vocabulary and languages; teaches via auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic (movement) methods; and can be used on small mobile devices such as cellular telephones.

Abstract: A multidimensional Chinese learning application system includes a main computer, a data storage device installed in the mainframe computer, and an input device, characterized by said data storage device comprises: a PinYin module including an initial study unit, a single-final study unit, a multiple-final study unit, an overall reading unit and an exercise unit; a character recognizing module including a stroke unit, a stroke order unit, a structure unit, a component unit, an encoding unit and a game unit; a dictionary searching module, including an input unit, an inquiry unit and a display unit.

Abstract: There are provided methods and a system for visually representing a rate of writing a plurality of identical Chinese characters for at least one user on a first portion of a display, with the visual representation having both a discrete movement component and a rate of activity component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is technology for learning a foreign language based on the stimulation of long-term memory. The foreign language learning method based on the stimulation of long-term memory comprises associative learning which is based on image content and keyword information related thereto, learning which allows a learner to listen to and speak foreign language sentences that comprise keyword information and are related to the image content, learning which allows the learner to repeatedly listen to and speak words constituting a foreign language sentence in such a way as to sequentially add words one by one in a sequence that the words appear in the sentence, and learning which allows the learner to naturally speak sentences with which a specific image is associated when viewing the image, so that the learner habitually memorizes each foreign language sentence or remembers it as one episode, thus providing efficient learning.

Abstract: A method for teaching how to read and/or write Chinese, includes first, teaching each component in a group of components, and then, teaching how to combine one or more of the components in the group with one or more of the other components in the group to form a Chinese character. The group of components includes a component that is not identified as a Bùsh{hacek over (o)}u, and each component in the group is combinable with one or more other components in the group to form a Chinese character. By first teaching each component and its semantic meaning, a student can become knowledgeable and familiar with each component. The student can then use this depth of understanding to quickly and efficiently recognize and understand Chinese characters—including ones that he may not have previously memorized, or previously memorized and subsequently forgot. Thus, the components in the group of components become similar to the letters in an alphabet of a phonetic language.

Abstract: A method and system of crowd-sourcing the performance of tasks through online education. In some embodiments, a method accesses content in a first language and identifies multiple segments within the content. Each of the multiple segments are provided to multiple users, who are requested to translate the segment from the first language to a second language. Multiple translations are received for each of the multiple segments. A correct translation is determined for each segment based on the multiple translations associated with the segment.

Abstract: An immersive and interactive educational system for a child aged about 1 to about 10 years, comprising a digital processing device that is connected to the Internet and visual and audio content that creates an immersive and interactive educational environment for the child. The educational environment is characterized by comprising at least three subjects appropriate for the child, wherein each subject comprises a plurality of levels of learning; a plurality of learning activities associated with each subject; a software module for monitoring the progress of the child in each of the subjects; a software module for rewarding the child for completing an activity; and a software module for creating an avatar to represent the child.

Abstract: A web-based educational system comprising at least one area of skill, interest, or expertise, a plurality of activities associated with each area of skill, interest, or expertise, and at least three navigational modes, wherein the navigational modes comprise a sequenced navigational mode, a guided navigational mode, and an independent navigational mode. Optionally, the learner can switch between available navigational modes.

Abstract: The invention discloses a multi language exchange system which includes a communication device having an input screen on which a message in a first language is to be translated into a second language. The input screen displays a programmable grid or list having at least one sentence or phrase formed by the grid or list in the first language. Each grid element of the at least one sentence or phrase contains a word or words in the at least one sentence or phrase. Each grid element of the at least one sentence or phrase having a sequence based on the order in which the word or words of the respective grid element would appear in the translation of the at least one sentence or phrase in the second language. The user follows the sequence to allow the at least one sentence or phrase to be translated in the correct order.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantial playing method of merging actions or piping actions or moving actions in accordance with Universal Grammar, wherein the brain is stimulated through vision, and particularly, the deficient English-understanding mechanism parts of each user are stimulated more. In the early stages, the present invention stimulates the left-brain side which is in charge of quickly understanding sequential and consecutive English sentences more, and in the later stages, the invention stimulates both eyes and both brains together like a person who uses English as a native language more, thereby ultimately lowering the operating load per unit time in each side of the brain and increasing an English reading processing capacity per unit time and reading speed.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a system for teaching a user a target language. The system includes a media repository, where the media repository is configured to store media in the target language. The system also includes a text repository, where the text repository is configured to store one or more lines of text from the media stored in the media repository.

Abstract: A method for task execution improvement, the method includes: generating a baseline model for executing a task; recording a user executing a task; comparing the baseline model to the user's execution of the task; and providing feedback to the user based on the differences in the user's execution and the baseline model.