This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein
basic information
THE INITIATIVE PROMOTER’S PERSPECTIVE
This project is a cooperation between researchers from the southern University of Denmark in Odense and two engineers. They have created a pronunciation tool that students of Danish can use in a computer. The results of each student is easily monitored by teachers. The pronunciation trainer consists of two modules, one for the student which is a practice module and one which is more of an administrative/assessment based module.
To use speech recognition technology to something useful.
For learners of Danish as a second language to improve their pronunciation skills.
The language applied is Danish as a second language.
First it was investigated as a research project on SouthDenmark University if it was possible to use speech recognition technology as a tool to help foreigners improve their pronunciation skills. This was confirmed and the aim was thereafter to develop a pronunciation trainer for this purpose and based on the technology mentioned above.
One result that is presented is that it is too limited only to focus on pronunciation, so the creators have re-developed the tool to make it part of a bigger project package. A project which includes more areas of language learning than just pronunciation.
To use for marketing purposes, validation for the project
The project has evolved now and they have included the Digital Pronunciation Trainer as part of a complete language trainer for immigrants which was finalized end of June 2012.
Recognition and use in marketing are two results from the European Language Label.
THE NELLIP NETWORK’S PERSPECTIVE
We find the project very interesting to begin with, a tool that can identify sounds and help you when you practice pronunciation. Now the project has evolved into something bigger.
1. Comprehensive approach. Every element of the language initiative should ensure that the needs of the students are identified and met.
2. Added value. Initiatives should provide a tangible improvement in the teaching and learning of languages in their national context.
3. Motivation enhancement. Initiatives should motivate the students and teachers to improve their language skills.
Innovation. Initiatives should be original and creative. They should introduce previously unknown approaches to language learning
Language in the work life was the priority in 2008, and this tool consists with that priority.
Comments on this Case Studies
Date: 2014.10.07
Posted by Lieselotte Wengberg (Sweden)
Message: The participants of one of the Swedish Nellip Workshops, working with adult students of Swedish as a second language, has visited the creators of this pronunciation tool. They are now together planning for a Swedish wersion of it. A lot of work but very interesting.
Date: 2014.07.15
Posted by Richard Rossner (UK)
Message: An excellent if experimental idea. Not enough attention is paid to pronunciation and projects like this that focus on it in a creative way using modern technology can only help to ensure that learners and teachers spend more time on improving their pronunciation.
