Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TEACHING LANGUAGE
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to methods
and devices which can be utilized for teaching a subject
such as a foreign language. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a method and device for
teaching a subject such as a foreign language wherein a
user is exposed to lessons which sequentially incorporate
l0 an increasing percentage of the foreign language such that
a user can readily understand, almost intuitively, the
meaning of the foreign language.
Description of Prior Art
Various methods and devices are available for
teaching a subject such as a foreign language, and the
teaching of foreign languages has .become increasingly
popular. Some of the methods and devices for teaching
foreign language incorporate some form of interaction with
a user, while other methods and devices utilize no form of
interactive learning. Despite the existence of methods
and devices for teaching a foreign language, learning a
foreign language can still be a very difficult process.
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One aspect contributing to the difficulty of learning
a foreign language is that the sounds and words of the
foreign language are not familiar and often are perceived
as having an alien aspect to them. Another factor which
can contribute to the difficulty of learning a foreign
language is age since the optimal learning window for
language comprises the early years of human development.
In the past, it has been very difficult to teach a
foreign language to a young child since learning a foreign
language has required concentration and attention of the
type which children, especially young children, typically
do not possess. Traditional techniques of learning
foreign languages are usually not appropriate for young
children since young children have difficulty focusing on
grammar, vocabulary memorization and formal lessons in
general. Although older students can usually learn a
foreign language using traditional techniques, they are
past their optimum language-learning years and thus
frequently encounter much difficulty in learning foreign
sounding words, phrases and syntax.
Teaching of a foreign language utilizing methods and
devices available thus far often involves total immersion
techniques wherein the language to be learned is either
primarily or exclusively used. Total immersion techniques
for learning a foreign language can work well when one is
forced to communicate in a foreign language and there is
no other alternative. Such total immersion techniques can
fail miserably, however, when communication in the foreign
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language is not absolutely necessary. Examples of methods
and devices using total immersion for teaching a foreign
language include videos featuring songs entirely in a
foreign language and written materials using one hundred
percent (100%) of a foreign language.
One example of a foreign language teaching device is
disclosed in U. S . Patent No . 4 , 112 , 595 to Fernandez et al .
wherein two separate books are utilized that each contain
a number of questions in a given language. Each question
is provided with a number and followed by a model correct
answer. The first book may contain successively odd-
numbered questions and the second book may contain
successively even-numbered questions, and the questions
are constructed so as to simulate a conversation between
two students utilizing the pair of books. Thus, the
holder of book one initiates the conversation by reading
question one aloud to the other student who answers
without help if he or she can, and the holder of book one
guides the other student with the model answer if he or
she fails to answer the first question correctly. Next,
the second student with the second book reads question two
to the first student who answers if he or she can. If the
first student cannot answer the second question posed by
the second student from book two, the second student
coaches the first student from the model answer to
question two set forth in the second book. In this
fashion, the exchange of questions, answers, and tutoring
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develops the skills at speaking a selected foreign
language.
Another device adapted for use in teaching and
learning a selected foreign language is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 5,178, 542 to Chig~rinsky et al. Specifically,
the learning aid of Chigrinsky et al. is directed to
allowing the reader to become accustomed to full phrase
translation as opposed to word-by-word translation. The
device comprises a book having one or more pages wherein
each page incorporates text and related artwork in a comic
book format. A thin, clear overlay sheet is provided for
each page of the book and is identical to the book page
therebeneath except that the text is in a foreign language
to be learned by the user. Thus, with the overlay in
position, the reader sees only the text to be translated,
and by raising the overlay, the reader can see the
translation of the foreign language set forth on the
overlay sheet.
French Patent Publication No. 2 311 368 discloses a
method for studying foreign languages comprising utilizing
strip cartoons with the same subject matter in both the
known language and the foreign language. The strip
cartoons can be used separately or together.
Additionally, Swiss Patent No. 252,785 discloses an
educational device for the study of foreign languages
comprising a sheet of text divided into three (3)
sections. The first section utilizes an association
lesson and provides text in a foreign language, preferably
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with a translation of the text therebeneath, that includes
drawings of certain words, such as "man", "boy", and
"cow", combined with the words. The next session
comprises a reproduction lesson and includes additional
foreign language text with the same pictures set forth in
the first section but with the foreign word and translated
word omitted so as to force an association between the
picture and word formed in the first session. Finally,
the third section of the sheet comprises a transposition
lesson by setting forth a foreign text, with associated
translation, and pictures identical to those in the first
section but used in association with a different but
phonetically similar word.
Despite the prior art methods and devices for
teaching a foreign language, all of which depend largely
or exclusively upon the ability of a user or student to
read, much room for improvement exists in the art,
particularly for a method and device for teaching a
foreign language which is effective, systematic,
entertaining and especially useful for young children who
have yet to acquire the ability to read.
Summary and Obiects of the Invention
The present invention provides a method and device
for teaching a given language to one or more users. This
is accomplished by use of a media series for teaching a
given language to one or more users wherein the media
series comprises the given language as well as language
other than given language. The media series is made up of
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a plurality of series levels or lessons which sequentially
contain an increasing percentage of the given language.
A user is exposed to the media series by progressively
exposing the user to the series lessons in sequential
fashion beginning with a first series lesson containing a
lowest percentage of the given language and ending with a
last series lesson containing a highest percentage of the
given language. For example, the first series lesson
contains a percentage of up to approximately thirty
percent (30%) of the given language, and the last series
lesson contains a percentage of more than approximately
eighty percent (80%) of the given language. The last
series lesson preferably is entirely in the given
language.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a novel method and device for teaching a given
language to one or more users.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide a method and device for teaching a given language
which provides multiple media methodologies for teaching
a given language.
It is yet another object of the present invention to
provide a method and device for teaching a given language
wherein the given language can be systematically,
effectively and easily learned by users of all ages,
particularly young children.
It is a further obj ect of the present invention to
provide a method and device for teaching a given language
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which can be utilized by a single user without the need
for participation or guidance by others.
It is yet a further object of the present invention
to provide a method and device for teaching a given
language which draws a user's interest and attention and
wherein each user is entertained while learning.
It is a still further object of the present invention
to provide a method and device for teaching a given
language which can be used while a user is substantially
unaware of the learning as it occurs.
Some of the objects of the invention having been
stated hereinabove, other objects will become evident as
the description proceeds.
Detailed Description
The present invention provides a novel method and
device for teaching languages to people and makes use of
a systematic and entertaining approach to learning
languages using singular or multiple media methodologies.
Utilizing the method and device according to this
invention, a user is progressively exposed to lessons in
a desired media with a continually increasing percentage
of the language to be learned.
In accordance with this invention, a device for
teaching a given language to one or more users is
provided. The device comprises a media series for
teaching a given language to one or more users wherein the
media series comprises the given language as well as
language other than the given language. The media series
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preferably comprises a foreign language to be learned and
the user's "native" language. The media series is made up
of a plurality of series levels or lessons, which
sequentially contain an increasing percentage of the
foreign language.
The media series can be utilized to expose a user to
written, audible, visual, or written, audible and visual
words which preferably form a story. Each series lesson
can include one or more stories, and the material in each
series lesson can follow up or succeed the story or
stories of a preceding series lesson. Alternatively, each
series lesson can contain an entirely new story or stories
not related to either of the other series lessons, or each
series lesson can present an identical story as the other
series lessons while only differing from the other series
lessons by the content amount of the foreign language.
It is also envisioned that the media series can include
stories which impart a moral or ethical message.
Regardless of the connection or lack of connection that
the story or stories within each series lesson have, each
series lesson provides text, sounds, pictures or a
combination thereof as the series lessons sequentially
incorporate an increasing amount of the foreign language
to be learned. Throughout each series lesson, it is
preferred that the foreign language be strategically used
so that the context within which the foreign language is
used makes the translation and meaning of the foreign
language obvious and intuitive.
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According to the method and device of this invention,
the first series lesson contains the lowest percentage of
the foreign language which preferably is no greater than
approximately thirty percent (30%), but can be zero. The
last series lesson contains the highest percentage of the
foreign language, and most preferably that percentage is
one hundred percent ( 10 0 % ) so that by the time the user
reaches the end of the media series, the user sees, hears,
or sees and hears the last lesson completely in the
foreign language. There can be any number of series
lessons between the first and last series lessons, and the
percentage content of the foreign language in these series
lessons can vary as desired. As an example, a second
lesson could be twenty-five percent (25%) foreign language
and seventy-five percent (75%) native language; a third
lesson could be half foreign language and half native
language; and a fourth lesson, leading up to a final fifth
lesson, could be seventy-five percent (75%) foreign
language and twenty-five percent (25%) native language.
It can frequently be desirable to vary the percentage
content of foreign language depending upon the type of
media utilized, as described further below.
Textual Media Application
The media series according to this invention can
comprise textual material such as one or more printed
books or booklets. In this format, each series lesson in
the media series consists of a written story or stories
which can be read by a user. The first series lesson in
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this format includes a low percentage of the foreign
language, for example, up to approximately fifteen percent
(15%). The successive series lessons in this format each
have an increased percentage of the foreign language from
a preceding series lesson until the last series lesson is
reached which preferably is written entirely in the
foreign language. Each successive series lessons in this
media series includes foreign words already learned in a
previous series lesson plus additional foreign words or
alternatively includes completely new and unrelated
foreign words.
When the media series comprises textual material, it
is contemplated according to this invention that words of
the chosen foreign language can be caused by the user to
be selectively audibly pronounced by the user activating
one or more audio chips which can be included in the media
series. The foreign word or words pronounced typically
are represented by a picture used in association with the
story text. In this manner, the user can hear a foreign
word or words expertly pronounced. It is also envisioned
according to this invention that this format utilizing an
audio chip to pronounce representative pictures can exist
by itself without accompanying textual material.
Audible Media Application
The media series according to this invention can
comprise audible material which is electronically stored
sound material. The specific types of audible materials
which can be used are one or more cassette tapes and/or
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compact discs, however, these are provided as examples and
not as a limitation, and it is envisioned that other
specific formats could be utilized for the electronically
stored sound material.
When the media series comprises audio material, a
user can listen to each of the series lessons
sequentially. It is envisioned according to this
invention that the audible material can be utilized by
itself, or that textual, pictorial or a combination of
such materials can be utilized in association with the
audible material.
Audiovisual Media Application
The media series according to this invention can also
comprise audiovisual material. This audiovisual material
preferably is electronically stored sound and visual
material, and can be in the form of, for example, one or
more videotapes or electronically stored sound and visual
material adapted for use on a computer, such as one or
more compact discs, diskettes and/or digital videodiscs
(DVD~s). When the media series comprises electronically
stored sound and visual material, a user can cause the
media series to be electronically processed in order for
the user to simultaneously listen to and view the series
lessons within the media series.
When the media series comprises one or more
videotapes, the series lessons strategically utilize
foreign language inserted in such a way as to enable the
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user to readily understand, almost intuitively, the
meaning of the foreign language. This can be accomplished
by use of gestures of a character in the videotape which
make the meaning of one or more foreign words obvious. An
example of this situation is where a character in the
video tape asks, "does a dog bark?", whereupon another
character replies "oui". The responding character can
even nod his or her head while saying "oui", thereby
reinforcing the context surrounding the use of the foreign
word and obviating the need for any explanation.
The second series lesson of the media series
comprising videotapes can contain foreign words already
used in the first series lesson, additional foreign words
that are inserted to enhance or modify foreign words used
previously in a series lesson, such as the "big" house or
the "big, red" house, or can contain completely new and
independent foreign words unrelated to the previous series
lessons. The second and successive series lessons can
double or more than double the percentage of foreign word
content from a previous series lesson as desired. Thus,
a user progresses sequentially through the series lessons
with increased exposure to the foreign language until the
last series lesson is reached which comprises only the
foreign language and no other language. A user's
attention and interest is therefore focused by a series of
related or unrelated stories which teach the user while
keeping the user entertained so that the user is often
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substantially unaware that the foreign language is being
learned.
The media series according to this invention can
comprise electronically stored sound and visual material
adapted for presentation on a computer. In this manner,
the media series can be processed on a computer and the
user can interact with the series lessons as described
further below. It is also envisioned that a computer can
be used to process either the electronically stored sound
information or the electronically stored visual
information by itself, however, it is preferred that both
sound and visual electronically stored material be
presented by processing the media series on a computer for
best potential comprehension and in light of the growing
multi-media aspects of computers.
Utilizing a computer, the series lessons can be
visually, audibly, or visually and audibly perceived by
the user. It is contemplated that various parameters can
exist and that a user can select ranges within the
parameters regarding the content of each series lesson
before or after it is presented while the series lessons
as a whole continue to sequentially contain an increased
percentage of the foreign language. An example of one
such parameter that can be selected by the user is the
precise percentage of foreign language included within a
given series lesson which effectively allows the user to
select the difficulty based upon the user's foreign
language proficiency. Another example of a parameter
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which can be controlled to an extent by the user is that
the user can select and control the speed at which the
presentation is given.
When a user is allowed to control the percentage of
foreign language content in a given series lesson, the
percentage which can be selected can be controlled by the
computer to be between a predetermined minimum and maximum
for each series lesson. Furthermore, it is envisioned
that an interactive means can be utilized with the
computer in order for the user to demonstrate a requisite
understanding or comprehension of certain foreign language
in order to advance to a successive series lesson. This
demonstration of comprehension by the user can be in the
form of the user responding to audio cues, pointing to
illustrations, answering written queries, or any other
method of analysis. Additionally, it is envisioned that
during a computer presentation of a series lesson
according to this invention, a user can pause the
presentation and point and click on any illustrated object
in the presentation whereupon the foreign language name or
phrase of the object is identified to the user. Utilizing
a computer to present the media series according to this
invention also allows multiple users to utilize the media
series, provides means for storing information regarding
each particular users progress through the media series
and even allows a user to stop a lesson and resume the
lesson at a later date picking up exactly where he or she
left off .
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It is therefore seen that the present invention
provides a novel method and device for teaching a given
language to one or more users. The present invention can
be in multiple media forms for teaching one or more given
languages systematically, effectively and easily to users
of all ages. Advantageously, the present invention can be
utilized by a single user without the need for
participation or guidance by others.
It can also be appreciated that the present invention
provides a method and device for teaching a given language
which draws a user's interest and attention wherein each
user is entertained while learning. The method and device
of this invention can be used to teach a user a foreign
language while the user is substantially unaware of the
learning as it occurs.
It will be understood that various details of the
invention may be changed without departing from the scope
of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description
is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the
purpose of limitation as the invention is defined by the
following appended claims.
