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.

1 . A language learning system, comprising: 
 an interactive lesson module 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; and  
 generate a lesson progress report indicative of the success of the user's language learning based on the user's interaction during the interactive language lesson;  
   an interactive social simulation module 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; and  
 generate a simulation progress report indicative of the success of the user's language learning based on the user's interaction with the interactive environment; and  
   a learner model module configured to: 
 receive the lesson progress report and the simulation progress report; and  
 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.  
   
   
   
       2 . A language learning system, comprising: 
 an interactive lesson module 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; and  
 generate a lesson progress report indicative of the success of the user's language learning based on the user's interaction during the interactive language lesson; and  
   an interactive social simulation module configured to: 
 provide an interactive environment that requires the user to use the language to communicate with a virtual character to achieve a goal; and  
 generate a simulation progress report indicative of the success of the user's language learning based on the user's interaction with the interactive environment.  
   
   
   
       3 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the interactive social simulation module is configured to receive and evaluate nonverbal communication from the user.  
   
   
       4 . The language learning system of  claim 3  wherein the interactive social simulation module is configured to evaluate the non-verbal communication based on the social norm of a culture.  
   
   
       5 . The language learning system of  claim 3  wherein the interactive social simulation module is configured to: 
 allow the user to control the distance between the virtual character and another character in the simulation that is representative of the user; and    evaluate the distance between the virtual a character and the other character.    
   
   
       6 . The language learning system of  claim 3  wherein the interactive social simulation module is configured to receive and evaluate a gesture from the user.  
   
   
       7 . The language learning system of  claim 6  wherein the interactive social simulation module is configured to: 
 provide an interactive environment that simulates an environment of a specific culture; and    evaluate whether the gesture is consistent with social norms for that culture.    
   
   
       8 . The language learning system of  claim 6  wherein the gesture is a hand gesture.  
   
   
       9 . The language learning system of  claim 6  wherein the interactive social simulation module is configured to allow the user to select the gesture from a menu of gestures.  
   
   
       10 . The language learning system of  claim 6  further including a video camera and image processing apparatus configured to allow the user to act out the gesture.  
   
   
       11 . The language learning system of  claim 3  wherein the virtual character responds to the nonverbal communication in a manner that is appropriate for a specified culture.  
   
   
       12 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the user may switch between interacting with the interactive lesson module and interacting with the interactive social simulation module.  
   
   
       13 . The language learning system of  claim 2  further comprising a learner model module that generates an assessment representative of the user's proficiency in communicating with the virtual character in the interactive environment that has one of several possible values.  
   
   
       14 . The language learning system of  claim 2  further comprising a learner model module that generates an assessment representative of the user's progress in communicating with the virtual character in the interactive environment that has one of several possible values.  
   
   
       15 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the interactive language lesson and the interactive environment are coordinated to teach the same skills.  
   
   
       16 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the simulation progress report is indicative of the success of the user in a plurality of categories, each related to a specific social communication skill.  
   
   
       17 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the interactive environment includes a virtual aide that provides advice to the user on what action to perform.  
   
   
       18 . The language learning system of  claim 17  wherein the virtual aide is configured to translate the language for the user if the user is having difficulty understanding the language.  
   
   
       19 . The language learning system of  claim 17  wherein the virtual aide is configured to respond to actions of the virtual character.  
   
   
       20 . The language learning system of  claim 17  wherein the virtual aide is configured to respond to actions of the user.  
   
   
       21 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the interactive social simulation is configured to allow the user to participate as a military person seeking to accomplish a military objective.  
   
   
       22 . The learning system of  claim 21  wherein the virtual character in the interactive simulation functions as a civilian.  
   
   
       23 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the interactive social simulation is configured to allow the user to participate as a health care provider seeking to provide health care and wherein the virtual character in the interactive simulation functions as a patient.  
   
   
       24 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the goal is to effectively communicate face-to-face in connection with law enforcement.  
   
   
       25 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the goal is to effectively communicate face-to-face in connection with plant safety inspections.  
   
   
       26 . The language learning system of  claim 2  wherein the goal is to effectively communicate face-to-face in connection with providing customer service.