Interactive Foreign Language Teaching

Abstract

Language learning systems and methods may be provided. An interactive lesson module may be provided. The interactive lesson module may be configured to provide an interactive language lesson that prompts a user to repeat, translate, or define words or phrases, or to provide words corresponding to images, at a controllable difficulty level. An interactive social simulation module may be provided. The interactive social simulation module may be configured to provide an interactive environment that requires the user to use the language to communicate with a virtual character to achieve a goal at a controllable difficulty level. A learner model module may be provided. The learner model may be configured to control the difficulty level of the interactive language lesson and the interactive social simulation based on a lesson progress report and a simulation progress report.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 686,900, entitled “Tactical Language Training System,” filed Jun. 2, 2005, attorney docket number 28080-168, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] The application of communication skills, such as learning foreign languages and cultures, learning other skills where face to face communication plays a key role (including law enforcement and clinical practice), conducting plant safety inspections, and providing customer service. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Methods and products for teaching foreign languages are known. One such product is called Rosetta Stone. It presents images, spoken utterances, and written phrases, and has the user indicate which image matches which spoken utterance or phrase. It has some ability to generate feedback on the learner's speech, by...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] A learner model module may be provided. The learner model may be configured to receive the lesson progress report and the simulation progress report. It may also be configured to control the difficulty level of the interactive language lesson and the interactive social simulation based on the lesson progress report and the simulation progress report.

Problems solved by technology

However, it may not effectively train learners at different levels of proficiency, nor provide a means to measure the success of the learning effort.

Interactive lessons may be limited to opportunities to practice the specific phrases used in the game dialog.

These systems may not adequately train the user in the foreign language.

Images