Language Connector

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Language Connector
Guided English Conversation Learning

• Dahwun Kim
• Jonathan Palley
• Wuping Lu

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Huodoushan Village

• Luanping County, Heibei Province, China
• One of the poorest village in the poorest county
• Provides drinking water for Chinas Capital city
  Beijing
• Therefore, the environment is stringently
  protected and no industry is allowed

Unique resource Tourism Most Beautiful part of
The Great Wall (World Heritage of UNESCO) Main
source of income Sell products to Tourists
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User Bei
Beis Daily Life and Dream
My Name is Bei and Im 14. I live in Huodoushan
village with my mother, father, three sisters and
one brother. I take care of them while my mother
sells grass made toys and snacks to tourists. My
parents say good education is important so I go
to school in the afternoon. In school we learn
English but the teacher rarely speaks English. I
think he doesnt know much English. I cannot
speak English. I envy my friends big sister, Tao
because she can speak English and she makes a lot
of money as a tour guide. She says she will go
to the big city or study abroad one day. I wish
I could be like her.
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Learning Situation
Ameco Hope Middle school students in Huodoushan
Village

• 400 students (mean family income 162 per year)
• In 2002, Ameco company donated 40 computers with
  internet access.
• Poor quality English teachers (high school
  diploma is the highest degree)
• In 2003, Ameco sent 3 volunteers to teach
  intensive spoken English
• Fluency in English will provide students with
  more opportunities.
• Knowledge-based Learning vs Performance-based
  Learning
• Need a long term solution.

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Language Connector
Allows distant native speaker volunteers the
ability to train local students

Voice and Video over IP Guided Conversation
Space
Jane Doe English Speaker United States
Bei Student Huodoushan Village, China
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Educational Goals

• What?
• Focus fluency in Speaking English
• Provides pedagogical guided conversation with
  volunteer native speakers
• How?
• Guided Learning Scenario based learning
  activities and assessment tools
• Performance-based Recording of conversation and
  feedback
• So what?
• Makes the conversation more structured so
  learning is effective
• Scenario based learning mirroring real life
  situations
• Builds Metacognitive skills (ability to monitor
  their learning)
• Makes the learning fun and enjoyable
• Motivates students
• Improves English skills for hopes of future
  economic success

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Student Step 1 Selecting Scenario
Jane Doe is online and ready to talk to you!
Select a Scenario
Greeting Visitors Taking a food order Giving a
tour of Wall Giving Directions Dealing with Money
NOTE This screen will be in Chinese as well
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Student Step 2 Reviewing Learning Goals
You are about to start the Taking a Food Order
Scenario

• Heres the words to try to use
• Menu
• Spicy
• Salty
• Low-fat
• Special

• You should practice
• Answering questions about the menu
• Taking an order
• Responding to changes in orders

Begin
NOTE This screen will be in Chinese as well
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Trainer Guided Conversation Space
Shared visual space with learner. Includes
images (i.e. menu) to prompt conversation,
and drawing and whiteboard tools
Provides questions and material for trainers
guiding conversation
Scenario Ordering Food

• Based on menu, ask
• student to describe two items on menu
• students recommended dish and why.
• Chefs special
• Is item spicy?
• Is item salty?
• Is item fatty?

• Place an order
• Student should ask about drink
• Ask how long it will take to make
• Request price

You Said Fresh salad has most desire I would
say Fresh salad is the most desired
Structured and recordable templates for feedback
The word is abundance

• Discussion
• What would you put on the menu?
• Why?

Make Correction Send Text

• Vocab To Use
• Hot
• Rice
• Spicy

Move on to receiving food
Vocabulary student is trying to learn
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Student Guided Conversation Space
Shared visual space with learner. Includes
images (i.e. menu) to prompt conversation,
and drawing and whiteboard tools
Video over IP video greatly enhances ability
to learn language
Jane Doe

• Scenario Progress
• Youve answer 12 of 30 questions.
• You have used 5 of the recommended vocab
  words
• Your trainer has made 10 corrections

You Said Fresh salad has most desire I would
say Fresh salad is the most desired
Integrated Vocabulary lookup
The word is abundance
Abundance Add to vocab
Recordable methods to interact with trainer
without interrupting flow of conversation
Please say that again Can you type that word?

• Vocab To Use
• Hot
• Rice
• Spicy

Vocabulary student is trying to learn
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Student Feedback
Feedback

• Comprehensible but may need some inferences
• Questions you had trouble with
• What dish would you recommend
• How long will it take
• Word/Phrases to practice pronouncing
• Spicy
• Be right back

Review Conversation