Language Instruction System Using Altered Auditory Prompts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional language teaching methods are ineffective as they do not emulate the natural learning process of children, leading to stilted pronunciation and grammatical errors, and existing systems fail to effectively measure progress in conversational fluency.

Innovation Solution

A computer-based language instruction system that presents interactive scenarios, prompts students to submit audible commands, decodes and implements these commands, and adjusts auditory attributes like pitch to improve pronunciation, mimicking the immersive learning environment of children.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional translation-based teaching methods are used, then students can learn grammar and syntax rules, but they develop stilted pronunciation and grammatical errors due to mental translation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepronunciation accuracyVSAvoidconversational fluency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical translation process with acoustic field-based learning. Audio prompts and speech recognition technology substitute for the mental translation mechanism, allowing students to learn pronunciation through auditory immersion rather than cognitive translation, thereby improving pronunciation accuracy while maintaining conversational fluency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of audio prompts, speech recognition software, and feedback mechanisms. This intermediary mediates between the student and the target language, providing real-time pronunciation guidance and correction without requiring mental translation, thus resolving the contradiction between pronunciation accuracy and conversational fluency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If students are prompted to read prepared text, then language exposure is provided, but natural speech patterns are not developed because read speech differs from spontaneous speech

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanguage exposureVSAvoidnatural speech pattern accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static prepared text to dynamic spontaneous speech exercises. The system adapts to student responses in real-time, providing audio prompts that require spontaneous verbal responses rather than reading predetermined text, thereby capturing both language exposure and natural speech pattern development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms through speech recognition technology. The system analyzes student speech, compares it to native speech patterns, and provides immediate corrective feedback, enabling students to develop natural speech patterns while maintaining adequate language exposure through interactive exercises

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If immersion teaching is used, then natural learning process is emulated, but effective measurement of student progress becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmersion learning effectivenessVSAvoidstudent progress measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates automated feedback systems that track and measure student progress through speech recognition and analysis. The system quantifies improvements in pronunciation accuracy, speech fluency, and grammatical correctness, making immersion learning measurable while preserving its naturalistic approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective human evaluation with objective automated measurement systems. Speech recognition software and audio analysis algorithms substitute for traditional manual assessment, providing precise, quantifiable metrics of student progress in immersion learning environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9911349B2System and method for language instruction using visual and/or audio prompts

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 ROSETTA STONE LTD

AI summary

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.