English 2 Go

The ability to converse comfortably in English depends on two skills: speaking and listening. Few people have a personal tutor who can be by their side whenever needed. Not everyone can attend conversational classes every day. Most people do not have private 24-hour access to a desktop computer with a microphone and speakers. So, while speaking and listening are key to learning to speak a language, few people actually have the opportunity to engage in regular, realistic conversational practice with a native speaker who can detect and correct their pronunciation and grammatical/syntactical errors.

English 2 Go is the working title of a prototype system that will allow learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) to use their cell phones at any time to practice conversational workplace English. The system combines customized voice recognition technology and language analysis software with a unique pedagogical model, to create a engaging and effective environment where learners can practice speaking with and listening to “virtual? English speakers.

By focusing on learners from a specific first language group (in this case, Mandarin and Cantonese), we are able to identify specific pronunciation and grammatical issues common to those learners, and to incorporate a focus on these issues into the occupation-specific dialogues that form the basis of the lessons. Using powerful server-side voice recognition and language analysis software provides the possibility of detecting when learners are having difficulties with particular pronunciation or grammatical issues, and then refering them to supplementary practice that address those issues.

English 2 Go will introduce learners to the vocabulary, grammar, idiom and conversational practices of a specific occupation, allows learners to engage in realistic simulated conversations, and provide personalized feedback on pronunciation, grammar and comprehension. By using English 2 Go, immigrants or prospective immigrants to Canada will be able to gain the conversational skills required to obtain and retain employment in specific English-language workplace settings. The prototype for Mobile MUSE will develop three sample lessons that will allow us to address the technical and design issues for the system.

The participants in the prototype are: LinguaComm Interactive Inc., 7th Floor Media at SFU, Lions Gate Learning Alliance Inc., MOSAIC, SUCCESS, and Douglas College.