AU2007201394A1 - Method and system for online pronunciation learning - Google Patents
Method and system for online pronunciation learning Download PDFInfo
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- AU2007201394A1 AU2007201394A1 AU2007201394A AU2007201394A AU2007201394A1 AU 2007201394 A1 AU2007201394 A1 AU 2007201394A1 AU 2007201394 A AU2007201394 A AU 2007201394A AU 2007201394 A AU2007201394 A AU 2007201394A AU 2007201394 A1 AU2007201394 A1 AU 2007201394A1
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Description
Regulation 3.2
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT
APPLICANT:
NUMBER:
FILING DATE: INVENTION TITLE: Helen Fraser METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ONLINE PRONUNCIATION LEARNING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ONLINE PRONUNCIATION LEARNING Field of the Invention The invention relates to the area of online educational courses and tutorials and in particular, to a method and system for the online teaching and/or learning of pronunciation of a second language, which provides a means of enabling a learner to obtain feedback on their pronunciation from a human teacher, to know whether their pronunciation is correct and/or how it should be modified.
Whilst the invention can be applied to the teaching of any second language or any educational course, for convenience sake it shall be described herein in terms of the online teaching and/or learning of pronunciation for the English language.
Background to the Invention People learning a second language need to practice pronunciation and spoken communication on their own. Even those with a teacher need more practice than a single teacher is able to provide in a face to face interactive environment.
Traditionally, practice is provided via audio cassette, with learners listening to a model and recording their own attempt. Multimedia computer disks offer essentially the same type of practice but with a more interesting and dynamic delivery. Recent technical developments allow multimedia to be delivered over the internet in almost CD quality, allowing practice material to reach a wider range of learners, and to be updated and tailored to learners' individual and changing needs.
The disadvantage of these current methods is that it can be difficult for learners to gain feedback on their performance to know whether their practice has been effective. Conventionally, learners simply had to wait for a teacher to be available to provide feedback, either face to face, or via cassettes or other recordings which were posted, marked and/or returned. The internet now allows this process to be conducted more efficiently, either through synchronous (real time) communication via audio or video conferencing, or through asynchronous communication via voice email or a voice bulletin board.
A recent solution which has been the main focus of research and development is to reduce the need for a human teacher by using speech technology to generate feedback automatically. The learner's voice is recorded and subjected to acoustic analysis. It can then be displayed as a visual representation, with the aim of helping learners recognise their own errors more readily, or be passed through a speech recognition system, with the aim of detecting learner errors. The disadvantage with these systems is due to limitations inherent in computer speech recognition.
Computer speech recognition can only be achievable in limited contexts as error correction is considerably more difficult with a necessity for the computer to be capable of recognising intended words as well as correctly identifying errors.
Automatic error correction may also not be the best solution pedagogically as it encourages reliance on an external agent to recognise and correct errors.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method and system for the online teaching and/or learning of pronunciation of a second language, which provides a means of enabling a learner to obtain prompt and effective feedback on their pronunciation performance even at a distance. The method and system of the invention is designed to provide feedback from a human teacher in a way that is both efficient in terms of teacher time and effective in terms of learner improvement.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a system for online pronunciation learning including; a server; an online interface accessible by at least one user; a database which is adapted to store a plurality of data pertaining to the online teaching and/or learning of pronunciation; at least one learning course material and/or practice exercise; at least one speech sample provided by a user; and at least one feedback response which is adapted to be provided by a teacher in response to a speech sample received from a learner whereby the system provides a means of enabling a learner to obtain effective feedback on their performance and/or how to modify their practice.
It is preferred that the user is learner/student, teacher, administrator and/or other suitable person.
The online interface is preferably in the form of a website including at least one webpage which allows a user to browse, access, and upload data to and/or from the database.
Preferably, the database can be integrally stored on the server of the system and/or be remotely connected to the server. The data is preferably in the form of written, pictorial, graphical, video, audio or any other suitable data format and/or information and includes learner/teacher details, voice samples, work/assessment tasks, lesson/practice information, feedback/marking, teaching notes, student/learner logs and/or any other suitable information. The data and/or speech samples are preferably tagged for various features pertaining to the data which will allow the data to be viewed and accessible accordingly. The speech samples are preferably in audio and/or video format and can be coded so the recipient is aware of the intended pronunciation.
It is preferred that the learning and practice materials are in the form of modules, sections categorized by degree of difficulty, activities which are selectable or preset by a teacher for a particular individual or any other form as desired for ease of learning or practicing. The feedback response may be in text, image, audio or video format.
It is preferred that the speech samples and/or feedback can be vetted and reviewed for quality to be reused and incorporated into further learning materials.
In a second aspect the present invention provides a method for online pronunciation learning comprising the following steps; at least one user registering to use the system; said user accessing the system via an online interface; a learner/student accessing learning material and practicing pronunciation; a learner/student uploading a recorded speech sample; and a teacher reviewing the learner's uploaded speech sample and providing feedback whereby the method provides a means of enabling a learner to obtain effective feedback on their performance and/or how to modify their practice.
Preferably, upon registration the user will be provided with a login to permit entry and access to the system and/or learning and practice materials via the interactive website.
It is preferred that the teacher can modify the learner's register to be sure that they will receive the right work when they next log into the system.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting example of a specific embodiment thereof.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figures Figure 1 shows a flow chart diagram of the system for online pronunciation learning according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a webpage of the system for online pronunciation learning where a learner can listen to a speech sample uploaded by a teacher according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a webpage of the system for online pronunciation learning where a learner can record their own speech sample according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a webpage of the system for online pronunciation learning where speech samples have been uploaded to receive feedback from a teacher according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Figures 1 to 4 show a method and system for online pronunciation learning according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
In this preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method and system for the online teaching and/or learning of pronunciation of a second language, which provides a means of enabling a learner to obtain effective feedback on their performance and/or how to modify their practice. The method and system of the invention is designed to provide feedback from a human teacher in a way that is both efficient in terms of teacher time and effective in terms of learner improvement.
The system 1 preferably has provided a server 2 which is accessible by at least one learner/student 3 and/or at least one teacher 4 via an online distributed communication network such as the internet or the like. The server 2 can be any standard computer system made from any suitable computer manufacturer such as IBM, Hewlard-Packard, Dell, Compaq, Acer, Macintosh or the like. The teacher 4 may be a teacher from a learner's 3 own language school who has registered with the site and/or or a teacher provided by a service provider 6 of the system 1.
The system 1 has provided a database 5 which is adapted to store data that can be retrieved and displayed to a user of the system. It is envisaged that the database may be integrally stored on the server 2 of the system and/or be remotely connected to the server 2. The database 5 may preferably by a SQL or Oracle database however, it is envisaged that any suitable type of database and any number of databases may be employed. The database 5 is adapted to store a plurality of data (not shown) which may preferably be in the form of written, pictorial, graphical, video, audio or any other suitable data format and/or information. The data may preferably include, but not be limited to, learner/teacher details, voice samples, work/assessment tasks, lesson/practice information, feedback/marking, teaching notes, student/learner logs and/or any other suitable information. The data is preferably tagged such that, the data will be retrieved from the database 5 and linked to, and/or displayed on, a website 10 at an appropriate time according to its designated tag which may be in response to a particular action by a user, the arrival at a predetermined point on a webpage 11 and/or in response to the login of a particular user or any other suitable cue, action or the like. The tagged data stored on a local/remote database 5 ensures that the data can constantly be maintained and updated independently of the website, allowing greater flexibility and ease of use.
The system 1 has provided learning course materials (not shown) and/or practice exercises or activities or the like to work on their pronunciation skills. The learning and practice materials may be provided in the form of modules, sections categorized by degree of difficulty, activities which are selectable or preset by a teacher 4 for a particular individual or any other form as desired for ease of learning or practicing.
The system 1 preferably has provided a least one speech sample 20. The speech sample 20 is preferably an audio/video sample which can contain learning, teaching and/or practising material or the like to be stored within the database 5. The speech sample(s) 20a provided by the teacher is/are preferably model samples which are based on human voice rather than computerised voiceover of a word, phrase or sentence, and are preferably samples providing correct, incorrect and/or mispronunciation of a word, phrase or sentence or the like. Similarly, speech sample(s) 20b provided by the student/learner is/are also directly recorded from their own speech/voice. The student 3 speech sample 20b may preferably be coded so that the recipient is aware of what they intended to say/pronounce. The speech sample(s) 20 and/or material is/are preferably tagged for any features considered appropriate by developers or administrators of the system, and delivered through the online website interface. Possible features for tagging may include teacher, student/learner, level of difficulty, lesson and/or any other suitable feature.
The system 1 preferably has provided an online interactive interface 10. The online interactive interface 10 is preferably in the form of a website accessible by a user via a computer and/or any other suitable electronic device provided with access to the internet such as a PDA or mobile phone or the like. The website 10 enables a user to view, retrieve and/or store data on the database 5 of the server 1. The website preferably has provided at least one webpage 11 which is adapted to be interconnected or interlinked and can be accessed via links provided on a home page and/or other pages within the website 10. Each webpage 11 may be provided with at least one category and/or subheading to facilitate a user in navigating their way around through the website 10 and finding the correct information or location they need. Each webpage 11 preferably functions as a shell which is preferably programmable such that it is adapted to retrieve and display data as it is needed depending on the programming of each particular webpage 10 and/or upon request by a user.
The system 1 preferably provides a means for uploading data onto the database and/or website 10. In a preferred embodiment, the data may be directly uploaded onto the database 5 via the online interactive website interface 10 and/or vice versa from the website to the database 5, so that data can be uploaded in real-time or saved through the website interface 10 onto the database The method of the invention involves a user, which may be a learner/student 3, teacher 4 or any other suitable administrative person, registering their details to gain access to utilise the system. Upon registration of the details, the user 3, 4 will be provided with a login which may be in the form of a username and/or password, or any other suitable combination or access code, which can be entered via the website interface 10 to permit entry and access to the system 1 and learning and practice materials via the interactive website 10. Once a learner 3 has logged into the system, the learner 3 can access various learning course materials (not shown) and/or practice exercises or activities or the like to work on their pronunciation skills. The learning and practice materials may be provided in the form of modules, sections categorized by degree of difficulty, activities which are selectable or preset by a teacher 4 for a particular individual or any other form as desired for ease of learning or practicing.
Once a learner 3 feels confident that they have mastered the pronunciation exercise or activity, or have reached the proficiency level required and are ready to receive feedback from a human teacher 4, they can record a sample 20b of their own voice completing the pronunciation exercise and upload the recorded sample 20b onto the database 5 via the website interface 10. In an alternate embodiment, it is also envisaged that the sample 20b can be provided in video or real-time streaming format. Once the recorded sample 20b has been received by the database 5 of the system 1, it will be automatically tagged for a range of predetermined features which may include the learner's 3 identity, degree of difficulty, exercise number or any other relevant feature. These recorded samples 20b will be made available to a human teacher 4 for assessment or feedback. It is envisaged that this may occur in real-time format where the sample can be directly forwarded to a teacher 4 who is logged into the system 1, or in a preferred embodiment, it can be in a stored format where a teacher 4 may be assigned to particular student 3 and will be able to view uploaded work received from those students 3 once they log onto the system 1.
When a teacher 4 logs into the system they will be directed to their own page 11 within the website 10 which will provide access to particular information stored on the database 5. The teacher's 4 page may preferably include a display of the learner 3 names for whom they will be responsible in assessing and providing feedback, together with an indication of whether voice samples 20b have been left to be uploaded for feedback and if so, a link in order to retrieve those samples 20b from the database 5. The teacher 4 can then access the sample 20b, provide feedback (not shown) for the learner 3 via text, image, audio including their own speech sample 20a, video or any other suitable format and upload this feedback onto the database 5 and modify the learner's 3 register to be sure that they will receive the right work when they next log into the system 1. The teacher 4 can provide encouragement and recommend the next exercises and/or activity to be undertaken.
Once the feedback has been received by the database 5 of the system 1 it will be automatically tagged accordingly to ensure that is delivered to the learner's 3 webpage 11 when they next log onto the system 1 and/or immediately if they are already logged into the system 1. When the student 3 re-logs into the system 1 they will be able to hear their own sample 20b again, view teacher's 4 notes and/or listen to other samples 20a, 20b of a native speaker or other learner speaking correctly but with a foreign accent. The student 3 can spend time to directly work on comparing the samples 20a, 20b and/or move onto the next set of exercises which have been delivered to the system by the teacher 4.
The method and system for online pronunciation learning provided by the invention is unique in that the speech samples 20 and feedback are not disregarded or archived in a conventional manner once they have been reviewed and/or replied to. Instead, these samples 20 can be vetted for quality and relevance and either disregarded or remain within the database 5 and can be tagged or retagged in appropriate ways such that they can be used to form part of the learning material not just for a particular learner 3, but for other learners 3 with similar needs. The invention provides a means for using these samples 20 to deliver learning material which allows learners 3 to compare, contrast and critique native speaker samples 20a and other learner samples 20b that are provided with and without errors, whilst also being able to view the feedback that has been attached to each sample 20a, The system 1 is designed to be a low-tech solution which allows learners to develop their own powers of discriminating correct from incorrect pronunciation whilst still being able to obtain feedback when they require it from a human source 4.
While we have described herein a particular embodiment of the method and system for online pronunciation learning, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims (18)
1. A system for online pronunciation learning including; a server; an online interface accessible by at least one user; a database which is adapted to store a plurality of data pertaining to the online teaching and/or learning of pronunciation; at least one learning course material and/or practice exercise; at least one speech sample provided by a user; and at least one feedback response which is adapted to be provided by a teacher in response to a speech sample received from a learner whereby the system provides a means of enabling a learner to obtain effective feedback on their performance and/or how to modify their practice.
2. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in claim 1 wherein the user is learner/student, teacher, administrator and/or other suitable person.
3. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the online interface is in the form of a website.
4. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in claim 3 wherein the website includes at least one webpage which allows a user to browse, access, and upload data to and/or from the database.
A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the database can be integrally stored on the server of the system and/or be remotely connected to the server.
6. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the data is in the form of written, pictorial, graphical, video, audio or any other suitable data format and/or information and includes learner/teacher details, voice samples, work/assessment tasks, lesson/practice information, feedback/marking, teaching notes, student/learner logs and/or any other suitable information.
7. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the data and/or speech samples are tagged for various features 11 pertaining to the data which will allow the data to be viewed and accessible accordingly.
8. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the learning and practice materials are in the form of modules, sections categorized by degree of difficulty, activities which are selectable or preset by a teacher for a particular individual or any other form as desired for ease of learning or practicing.
9. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the speech sample is in audio and/or video format.
A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in claim 9 wherein the speech sample is coded so the recipient is aware of the intended pronunciation.
11. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein feedback response may be in text, image, audio or video format.
12. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in any one of the above claimed where the speech samples and/or feedback can be vetted and reviewed for quality to be reused and incorporated into further learning materials.
13. A system for online pronunciation learning as claimed in claimed 1 wherein the system further includes a means for uploading data onto the database and/or website.
14. A method for online pronunciation learning comprising the following steps; at least one user registering to use the system; said user accessing the system via an online interface; a learner/student accessing learning material and practicing pronunciation; a learner/student uploading a recorded speech sample; and a teacher reviewing the learner's uploaded speech sample and providing feedback whereby the method provides a means of enabling a learner to obtain effective feedback on their performance and/or how to modify their practice.
A method for online pronunciation learning as claimed in claim 13 wherein the user is learner/student, teacher, administrator and/or other suitable person. 12-
16. A method for online pronunciation learning as claimed in claim 13 wherein upon registration the user will be provided with a login to permit entry and access to the system and/or learning and practice materials via the interactive website.
17. A method for online pronunciation learning as claimed in claim 13 wherein the teacher can modify the learner's register to be sure that they will receive the right work when they next log into the system.
18. A system and method for online pronunciation learning as substantially described herein with reference to the above examples and drawings figures.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007201394A AU2007201394A1 (en) | 2006-03-30 | 2007-03-30 | Method and system for online pronunciation learning |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2006901614A AU2006901614A0 (en) | 2006-03-30 | Method and system for online pronunciation learning | |
| AU2006901614 | 2006-03-30 | ||
| AU2007201394A AU2007201394A1 (en) | 2006-03-30 | 2007-03-30 | Method and system for online pronunciation learning |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2007201394A1 true AU2007201394A1 (en) | 2007-10-18 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007201394A Abandoned AU2007201394A1 (en) | 2006-03-30 | 2007-03-30 | Method and system for online pronunciation learning |
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| Country | Link |
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| AU (1) | AU2007201394A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111710203A (en) * | 2020-07-15 | 2020-09-25 | 罗鹏 | English pronunciation correction system based on big data |
| US11322046B2 (en) * | 2018-01-15 | 2022-05-03 | Min Chul Kim | Method for managing language speaking lesson on network and management server used therefor |
-
2007
- 2007-03-30 AU AU2007201394A patent/AU2007201394A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11322046B2 (en) * | 2018-01-15 | 2022-05-03 | Min Chul Kim | Method for managing language speaking lesson on network and management server used therefor |
| CN111710203A (en) * | 2020-07-15 | 2020-09-25 | 罗鹏 | English pronunciation correction system based on big data |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MK5 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(e) - patent request and compl. specification not accepted |