JP2004333917A - Sentence-conversation instruction device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sentence-conversation instruction device which makes it possible to learn sentence constitution as well as a conversation when learning a foreign language by role playing. <P>SOLUTION: This sentence-conversation instruction device has a selection module 110 that makes a user select an environment and a role and sets them, a teaching material database 120 which stores a plurality of learning units, a conversation instruction module 130 which takes a learning unit corresponding to the selected role out of the teaching material database to carry out a conversation practice, a sentence instruction module 140 which takes a learning unit corresponding to the selected environment out of the teaching material database to carry out a sentence creation practice, and an input/output module 150 which receives an input and a voice from the user for the conversation practice and sentence creation practice, outputs output contents from the conversation instruction module and sentence instruction module, and calculates and shows learning evaluation levels of the learning units. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a foreign language teaching device and a method thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a foreign language teaching device and a method thereof in which a user can select and set an environment and a role for practicing a sentence and a conversation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
One of the ultimate goals of learning a foreign language is to be able to talk to others who speak the language you are learning.
[0003]
For this reason, there have been various methods of learning a foreign language using a computer with an emphasis on conversation.
[0004]
One such learning method is role play. This means that in order for the user (foreign language learner) to fully understand the conversational materials, an environment (for example, a scene that appears every day) is set, and in that environment, the user is asked to enter the environment. It is a way for the user to learn by letting any of the coming roles play the role of the person in that role, or letting them understand what others have said in the environment.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a learning method by role play has the following problems.
[0006]
(1) Lack of practice in sentence composition.
[0007]
One of the key factors in improving conversational ability is that the user is proficient in writing sentences.
[0008]
However, there is a problem that the practice of the sentence composition is insufficient in the foreign language learning by the role play. For this reason, in the case of learning by role play, a user may not be able to derive an accurate sentence structure even if the user can immediately find an answer to a question from another person. As a result, users may not be able to state their opinions and answers to questions very fluently in practical conversations.
[0009]
Therefore, learning to create a sentence is indispensable for effective conversation learning.
[0010]
(2) Lack of a complete evaluation mechanism.
[0011]
An important part of creating accurate sentences during a conversation is the intonation and pronunciation skills of the user when speaking.
[0012]
Conventional foreign language teaching devices also focus on this area, but there is no ideal evaluation mechanism for users.
[0013]
Thus, as the user continues to practice, he does not know if the user has made progress on them.
[0014]
(3) The validity of the conversation environment and the role played.
[0015]
There is no doubt that the setting of the conversation environment and the roles it plays are both crucial and promising learning elements.
[0016]
However, conventional teaching device designs often cannot completely combine these two functions.
[0017]
Therefore, even if the user is familiar with various conversation environments, there is a possibility that the user cannot continue learning as individual roles.
[0018]
As a result, there is a problem that the user cannot continue learning, and must spend twice or more times in practicing conversation.
[0019]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to utilize the currently widespread computer technology to combine the features of both the role setting environment and the role in the role play to enhance the user's conversation ability, To provide a sentence-conversation teaching device and method capable of enhancing conversational skills as a final goal in the shortest possible time and with a minimum of effort, and having a more complete analysis and evaluation mechanism. It is.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for achieving the above object is configured as follows.
[0021]
(1) A sentence-conversation teaching device having an environment and role selection function for generating learning content according to a user's environment and role selection in order to execute sentence and conversation learning and their evaluation. A selection module for allowing the user to select and set a role; a teaching material database storing a plurality of learning units for environments and roles; and a learning unit corresponding to the selected role is extracted from the teaching material database and conversation learning is performed. A conversation teaching module, a learning unit corresponding to a selected environment, and a sentence teaching module for taking out a learning unit from the teaching material database and executing sentence creation learning. And output the output contents from the conversation teaching module and the sentence teaching module , Sentence and having a input-output module shown by calculating the learning evaluation level of the learning unit - conversation teaching device.
[0022]
(2) The sentence-conversation teaching device, wherein the selection module sets at least a selected environment and a role to be played therein.
[0023]
(3) The sentence-conversation teaching device, wherein the teaching material database has at least a conversation learning unit and a sentence creation learning unit.
[0024]
(4) The sentence-conversation teaching device, wherein the conversation learning unit and the sentence creation learning unit are formed of at least one data selected from the group consisting of text data, audio data, image data, and video data. .
[0025]
(5) The sentence-conversation teaching device, wherein the learning evaluation level is calculated using a result of conversation learning in the learning unit and a result of sentence creation learning in the sentence creation learning unit.
[0026]
(6) A sentence-conversation teaching method having an environment and role selection function for generating learning content according to a user's environment and role selection in order to execute sentence and conversation learning and their evaluation. Receiving and setting an environment and a role, taking out learning materials corresponding to the selected environment, and performing sentence creation learning, and taking out learning materials corresponding to the selected role, and performing conversation learning And a step of giving a learning evaluation level from each of the learning results.
[0027]
(7) The sentence-conversation teaching method, wherein the environment and the role are at least roles to be performed in the selected environment.
[0028]
(8) The step of taking out the learning material corresponding to the selected environment and executing the sentence creation learning includes the steps of reading the environment setting for the learning material, and learning the sentence creation learning corresponding to the environment setting. Determining a unit, generating a question from a sentence preparation teaching material corresponding to the learning unit in the learning teaching material, receiving input from a user, inputting from the user and answering the question. A sentence-conversation teaching method, comprising: comparing the consistency of a sentence; and outputting the result of the comparison to generate an evaluation of the sentence creation learning.
[0029]
(9) The sentence-conversation teaching method, wherein the learning material for creating a sentence comprises at least one data selected from the group consisting of text data, audio data, image data, and video data.
[0030]
(10) The step of generating a question from the determined sentence preparation teaching material includes the step of non-reorganizing a sentence in the sentence preparation teaching material to prepare the question, and / or the forming of the question by reorganizing. A sentence-conversation teaching method comprising the steps of:
[0031]
11) The sentence-conversation teaching method, wherein the reorganization is at least one of word reorganization, vocabulary attribute reorganization, vocabulary type reorganization, and interfering word reorganization.
[0032]
(12) The step of taking out the learning material corresponding to the selected role and executing the conversation learning includes the steps of reading the role setting for the learning material and determining a learning unit corresponding to the role setting. Outputting voices of other parties in a conversation corresponding to the learning unit in the learning material; receiving a voice input from a user; and determining the input voice and a predetermined standard. Analyzing the similarity of the learning unit with the conversational speech of the subject and outputting the result of the analysis of the similarity to generate an evaluation of the learning unit.
[0033]
(13) The sentence-conversation teaching method, wherein the conversation teaching material includes at least one data selected from the group consisting of text data, audio data, image data, and video data.
[0034]
(14) The sentence-conversation teaching method, wherein the step of calculating the learning evaluation level is calculated from learning results of the sentence creation learning and the conversation learning.
[0035]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited by the following description, and detailed descriptions and examples including preferred embodiments of the present invention described below are provided. Should be used for explanation only, and it is apparent that various modifications, additions, and omissions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. The invention can be better understood from the following detailed description. However, the following detailed description is for the purpose of explaining the content of the invention and does not limit the invention.
[0036]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a sentence-conversation teaching device according to the present embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
[0037]
The sentence-conversation teaching apparatus and method having the environment and role selection function according to the present invention allows a user to freely select a role-playing environment and roles to be played therein in order to freely learn conversation and sentence creation. .
[0038]
The sentence-conversation teaching device 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as device) includes a selection module 110, a teaching material database 120, a conversation teaching module 130, a sentence teaching module 140, and an input / output (I / O) module 150. Note that this device is actually a computer such as a normal personal computer, and each function in this device is executed by the computer when a program created to execute a procedure described later is executed by the computer. It works as.
[0039]
(1) The selection module 110 allows the user to select the role play environment and the role of the user (user) therein. Here, the environment is, for example, airports, train stations, shops, restaurants, hotels, schools, movie theaters, directions (asking for directions), and various places that appear everyday, and scenes in them. The role, on the other hand, is the person who appears in such an environment.
[0040]
To this end, the selection module 110 allows the user to select and set the environment of the learning material and the role of the user to play there. For example, an environment desired by the user and a role in the environment are selected from a plurality of environments prepared in advance and a plurality of roles in the environment on a connected display (not shown). It is good to make it select.
[0041]
The selected environment and role are stored and set in a storage device (not shown) such as a memory or a hard disk device.
[0042]
The result of the user's selection affects the teaching materials and the course of practice required for learning of conversation learning and sentence creation.
[0043]
(2) The learning material database 120 stores learning materials for all environments and roles.
[0044]
Basically, the learning material is divided into a conversation learning unit and a sentence preparation learning unit.
[0045]
Each unit contains different data type materials to be learned. These are, for example, text data, audio data, image data, video (moving image) data, and the like.
[0046]
Therefore, the teaching material database 120 is a database that stores multimedia data.
[0047]
(3) The conversation teaching module 130 retrieves a conversation learning material corresponding to the user's role selection from the teaching material database 120 to execute the conversation teaching, presents it to the user, receives a conversation voice from the user, and evaluates it. I do.
[0048]
During the conversation learning, the conversation teaching module 130 sequentially outputs the conversation contents in the conversation learning unit corresponding to the selected role. At this time, the conversation contents of the person of the role selected by the user are awaiting input, and the conversation contents of the other persons are output as voice. Here, the conversation learning unit is a unit of one conversation learning such as a learning range summarized for each learning progress or a range of one scene in one environment.
[0049]
The conversation learning procedure basically includes the following steps performed by the conversation teaching module 130.
[0050]
Outputting the voice content of the person or people involved in the conversation (ie, the person or people appearing in the scene) and receiving the voice uttered by the user (temporarily storing (recording) the received voice in the device) Analyzing the audio similarity of the input user (ie, comparing the audio content of the user with the standard audio content of the conversation, For example, the similarity of the sound wave waveform is evaluated, and the position of the accent or the intonation is evaluated as the strength position of the sound wave or the difference in the arrangement of the strength positions.).
[0051]
The conversation teaching module 130 repeatedly executes the above steps until one conversation learning unit ends.
[0052]
Then, after one conversation learning unit ends, the conversation teaching module 130 outputs the evaluation result of the conversation in the learning unit for the user's reference and for evaluating the user's learning progress. Here, the result of the conversation evaluation is the similarity between the input voice and the standard voice.For example, what percentage of voice input has a similar voice waveform, and what voice input has the correct accent position and intonation Is there a percentage?
[0053]
(4) The sentence teaching module 140 takes out the sentence creation learning unit from the teaching material database 120 according to the environment setting selected by the user to execute the sentence creation learning, presents it to the user as a question, and answers the user. Receive and evaluate.
[0054]
During sentence creation learning, sentence teaching module 140 outputs all sentence practice questions within the selected sentence creation learning unit. Here, the sentence creation learning unit includes, for example, one sentence creation such as one learning range in an environment selected by the user, one learning range summarized for each learning progress, and one scene range in one environment. It is a unit of learning. Therefore, for example, in the sentence creation learning unit, the conversation contents of people of various roles in the selected environment are output as a sentence creation exercise. Of course, it may also include, in addition to the environment, a practice task of preparing a sentence, which is incorporated in advance as the sentence creation learning unit.
[0055]
This sentence creation learning procedure basically includes the following steps performed by the sentence teaching module 140.
[0056]
Generate questions to help the user practice writing, receive the content of the user's input, and compare the consistency of the input (ie, a standard sentence that answers the question, Comparison with a sentence).
[0057]
The sentence teaching module 140 repeats the above steps until all the practice of making sentences in the sentence learning unit is completed.
[0058]
Finally, the sentence professor module 140 outputs the evaluation result of the learning unit for the user's reference and for evaluating the user's learning progress. The evaluation result here is, for example, the correct answer rate (%) for the sentence that was set.
[0059]
(5) The I / O module 150 receives voice and character input from the user during conversation teaching and sentence creation learning.
[0060]
Also, the I / O module 150 outputs the contents output by the conversation teaching module 130 and the sentence teaching module 140 (the voices of the other parties in the conversation, the problems given during the sentence creation learning, each analysis result, and each comparison result). , And the results of conversation evaluation and sentence creation evaluation in each unit).
[0061]
Further, the I / O module 150 calculates and assigns a learning level and outputs it.
[0062]
The learning level is calculated using the conversation evaluation result of the conversation learning unit performed by the conversation teaching module 130 and the sentence creation evaluation result of the sentence creation learning unit performed by the sentence teaching module 140. For example, the learning unit corresponding to the selected environment and role is determined by using the evaluation result of the similarity of the conversation voice that is the evaluation result of the conversation and the accuracy of the standard minutes that is the evaluation result of the sentence creation. (For example, the average of the evaluation result of the conversation and the evaluation result of the sentence creation) is calculated.
[0063]
The input / output (I / O) module 150 is connected to a display, a printer, a microphone, a speaker, and the like (not shown).
[0064]
2 to 4 are flowcharts for explaining the processing procedure of the sentence-conversation teaching performed by the above-described device.
[0065]
The overall flow will be described with reference to FIG.
[0066]
First, the selection module 110 receives an input of environment and role selection from the user via the I / O module 150 (step 200). This selection is the selection of teaching materials according to the selected environment and role.
[0067]
Subsequently, in the sentence-conversation teaching device 100, the sentence teaching module 140 extracts the teaching material of the learning unit corresponding to the selected environment from the teaching material database 120, and executes the sentence creation learning (step 300). This sentence creation learning procedure will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.
[0068]
After the completion of the sentence creation learning, the conversation teaching module 130 retrieves the learning material of the learning unit corresponding to the selected role from the learning material database 120, and executes the conversation learning (step 400). This conversation learning procedure will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.
[0069]
Finally, the learning result of the user in each learning unit is calculated for evaluation, and a learning level is given (step 500).
[0070]
In this procedure, the conversation learning is performed after the sentence creation learning. However, this is performed after learning (or a part of) the sentence structure of the conversation content appearing in the selected environment. After that, the purpose is to increase the proficiency of conversation learning by performing conversation learning. It should be noted that the conversation learning may be learned first, and the sentence structure may be grasped as a conversation, and then the sentence creation learning may be executed to confirm whether or not the sentence structure has been correctly understood.
[0071]
Next, the procedure of the sentence creation learning will be described with reference to FIG.
[0072]
First, the setting of the environment in which the learning material is selected is read (step 310). Thus, the sentence creation learning starts.
[0073]
The apparatus determines a learning unit for sentence creation learning corresponding to the environment setting (step 320).
[0074]
Thereafter, the apparatus creates a question from the sentence preparation teaching material corresponding to the learning unit determined from the learning teaching materials (step 330).
[0075]
There are at least two ways to make a question, depending on the user's choice.
[0076]
One is a non-reorganization method. This is a method in which hint contents (for example, explanation of a question or translation of a question to be given) of a sentence creating teaching material are output one word at a time in response to a user's input. The contents of the hint are stored in the teaching material database 120 in advance in accordance with the sentence used as the sentence creating teaching material.
[0077]
Another is a reorganization method.
[0078]
In this method, sentences in the sentence preparation teaching material are rearranged separately (randomly), output as questions, and prompt the user to input a correct arrangement.
[0079]
There are various reorganization methods. For example, word reorganization, vocabulary attribute reorganization, vocabulary type reorganization, and interfering word reorganization.
[0080]
Subsequently, the device receives the input content from the user (step 340). The user inputs words and sentences using an input device (eg, a keyboard, a handwriting input device).
[0081]
After the input has been entered, the device performs a consistency comparison of the input (step 350). In this method, a user's input sentence is compared with a standard sentence that answers a question.
[0082]
The device then checks whether a comparison has been made (step 360). If the comparison has not been performed yet, the process returns to step 350 and waits until the comparison is performed.
[0083]
On the other hand, if the comparison is performed, the comparison result is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) or the like, and then the apparatus searches the learning unit for another sentence to be set (step 370). ).
[0084]
The stored comparison result is, for example, a result of determining whether or not the input sentence is correct as compared with the standard sentence, and the input sentence itself may be stored together.
[0085]
In step 370, if there is no other sentence to be set, all the comparison results are output, and the evaluation result of the sentence creation learning in the learning unit is output (step 380).
[0086]
The final evaluation result of the sentence creation learning is calculated by statistically processing the comparison result of each sentence in the learning unit of the sentence creation learning.
[0087]
This statistical processing reflects the user's understanding level in the learning unit. This statistical result is further used to generate a unit sentence creation evaluation of the comprehensive learning evaluation. Thereafter, processing continues to step 400.
[0088]
On the other hand, in step 370, if there is another sentence to be set, the process returns to step 330, and a question is made from the sentence creation teaching material. Then, the execution of all the sentences is repeated by steps 330 to 370.
[0089]
Next, the procedure of conversation learning will be described with reference to FIG.
[0090]
First, conversation learning is started by reading the selected role (step 410).
[0091]
Subsequently, the device determines a learning unit corresponding to the role selected by the user (step 420).
[0092]
Then, the device outputs voices of other parties in the conversation of the learning unit (step 430).
[0093]
Thereafter, the device receives audio content from the user (step 440). Here, the user uses an input device (for example, a voice collection device such as a microphone) to input voice content.
[0094]
After receiving the user's audio content, the device analyzes the audio similarity (step 450).
[0095]
This audio similarity analysis compares whether the user's audio content and the standard audio content are the same. This is performed by comparing sound waves as described above.
[0096]
Subsequently, the device checks whether or not a similarity analysis of the voice has been performed (step 460).
[0097]
Here, if the analysis has not been performed, step 450 continues until the analysis is performed.
[0098]
On the other hand, when the analysis is performed, the analysis result is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) or the like. Then, the apparatus searches for other conversation contents to be executed (step 470).
[0099]
In step 470, if there is no other conversation content to be executed, finally, the analysis result is output, and the conversation evaluation of the learning unit is performed (step 480).
[0100]
The conversation evaluation is performed by statistically processing each analysis result. It reflects the user's level of understanding in the conversation learning unit.
[0101]
The results of this conversation assessment are further used to generate a conversation assessment for that unit in the overall learning assessment.
[0102]
Processing then continues to step 500.
[0103]
On the other hand, if there is any unprocessed conversation content in the unit in step 470, the process returns to step 430, and steps 430 to 470 are repeatedly executed until all the conversation materials in the unit are executed.
[0104]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be implemented as various modifications. These modifications are included in the scope of the claims of the present application.
[0105]
【The invention's effect】
According to the sentence-conversation teaching device having the function of selecting both the environment and the role in the role play according to the present invention described above, the user can select a desired environment and role set through the conversation learning unit. can do.
[0106]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to explicitly and accurately give an evaluation of the degree of learning of the user to the user during the learning process. Through a combination of environment and role, the user can experience different teaching material content and gain conversation skills for each role in all environments.
[0107]
Further, according to the present invention, the user can know the degree of learning in the learning plan made by the user from the evaluation result given after the sentence is created and the conversation learning is completed.
[0108]
Further, in accordance with the present invention, the practice of sentence creation and conversation allows the user to receive a more complete training of sentence structure.
[0109]
And these allow the user to have a real conversation very quickly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a sentence-conversation teaching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the entire procedure of a sentence-conversation teaching performed by the above-described apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of a sentence creation learning in the flowchart.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of conversation learning in the flowchart.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 100 sentence-conversation teaching device 110 selection module 120 teaching material database 130 conversation teaching module 140 sentence teaching module 150 input / output module

Claims (14)

A sentence-conversation teaching device having an environment and role selection function for generating learning content according to a user's environment and role selection to perform sentence and conversation learning and their evaluation,
A selection module for allowing the user to select an environment and a role and to set the environment and a role;
A teaching material database storing a plurality of learning units for environments and roles;
A conversation teaching module for taking out a learning unit corresponding to the selected role from the teaching material database and executing conversation learning;
A sentence teaching module that extracts a learning unit corresponding to the selected environment from the teaching material database and executes sentence creation learning,
Receives input and voice from the user for the conversation learning and the sentence creation learning, outputs the output contents from the conversation teaching module and the sentence teaching module, and calculates and indicates the learning evaluation level of the learning unit. Modules and
A sentence-conversation teaching device comprising: The sentence-conversation teaching device according to claim 1, wherein the selection module sets at least a selected environment and a role to be played therein. 2. The sentence-conversation teaching device according to claim 1, wherein the teaching material database has at least a conversation learning unit and a sentence creation learning unit. 4. The sentence-conversation according to claim 3, wherein the conversation learning unit and the sentence creation learning unit include at least one data selected from a group consisting of text data, audio data, image data, and video data. Teaching equipment. The sentence-conversation teaching device according to claim 1, wherein the learning evaluation level is calculated using a result of conversation learning in the learning unit and a result of sentence creation learning in the sentence creation learning unit. A sentence-conversation teaching method with environment and role selection function for generating learning content according to a user's environment and role selection to perform sentence and conversation learning and their evaluation,
Setting the environment according to the user's choice of environment and role;
Taking out the learning material corresponding to the selected environment and executing a sentence creation learning;
Taking out learning material corresponding to the selected role and executing conversational learning;
Providing a learning evaluation level from each of the learning results;
A sentence-conversation teaching method comprising: 7. The sentence-conversation teaching method according to claim 6, wherein the environment and the role are at least roles that play in the selected environment. The step of taking out the learning material corresponding to the selected environment and executing the sentence creation learning,
Reading the environment settings for the learning material;
Determining a learning unit of sentence creation learning corresponding to the setting of the environment;
Generating a question from the sentence creation teaching material corresponding to the learning unit in the learning teaching material;
Receiving input from the user;
Comparing the input from the user with the answer to the question,
Outputting the result of the comparison to generate an evaluation of the sentence creation learning;
7. The sentence-conversation teaching method according to claim 6, comprising: 9. The sentence-conversation teaching method according to claim 8, wherein the learning material for creating a sentence includes at least one data selected from the group consisting of text data, audio data, image data, and video data. The step of generating a question from the determined sentence preparation teaching material includes the step of non-reorganizing a sentence in the sentence preparation teaching material to prepare the question and / or the step of reorganizing and preparing the question. 9. The sentence-conversation teaching method according to claim 8, comprising: 11. The sentence-conversation teaching method according to claim 10, wherein the rearrangement is at least one of a word rearrangement, a vocabulary attribute rearrangement, a vocabulary type rearrangement, and a disturbing word rearrangement. The step of taking out the learning material corresponding to the selected role and executing conversation learning,
Reading the role settings for the learning material;
Determining a learning unit corresponding to the role setting;
Outputting voices of other parties in a conversation corresponding to the learning unit in the learning material;
Receiving voice input from the user;
Analyzing the similarity between the input voice and a predetermined standard conversation voice,
Outputting the analysis result of the similarity to generate an evaluation of the learning unit;
7. The sentence-conversation teaching method according to claim 6, comprising: The sentence-conversation teaching method according to claim 12, wherein the conversation teaching material comprises at least one data selected from the group consisting of text data, audio data, image data, and video data. 7. The sentence-conversation teaching method according to claim 6, wherein the step of calculating the learning evaluation level is calculated from learning results of the sentence creation learning and the conversation learning.

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