[Parley-devel] Parley improvement (similar to Rosetta Stone)

[it-technik at gmx.ch]

Hey guys,

Parley is a very useful software for learning vocabulary and grammar with standard language courses, thank you for writing it. However, with new methods of improved learning appearing over the last few years, I was wondering if it was possible to adapt it and make it possible to create language learning files similar to the software "Rosetta Stone".

There is already a description of how that would work in the brainstorm section of the KDE forums:
http://forum.kde.org/brainstorm.php#idea89608_page1
It seems impossible to add screenshots/mockups. I made one, couldn't add it though, which is why I'm sending it here as an attached file. I would be very happy if you took a short while to read the description, have a look at my mockup and if you tried the Rosetta Stone demo (see on the brainstorm page). As far as I know, you can order a demo version from their webpage as well. Thank you very much.

Best regards



Below is a copy of the text from the mockup page on the KDE forums:

This software would make it possible to easily learn languages through immersion (just like in Rosetta Stone, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_stone_software). This method allows very fast learning without any kind of translations: The user learns the language by associating words to pictures, just like small children learn. This method is absolutely amazing and easy, even children could use it, but software like it costs a lot. There is an online demo available at http://www.rosettastone.com/personal/form/flash-demo-form, this way you can get a basic idea of how it works.
Although the learning process starts with simple vocabulary questions, it quickly goes beyond that. Example: It also lets you learn the language using whole sentences and through recombination of these. Simple example: You see a running man, it says "Der Mann rennt", next to it, you see a running woman, it says "Die Frau rennt." Then you see 2 pictures, one with a running boy and one with a running girl, and the sentence on top says: "Der Junge rennt" You are then supposed to find out which picture is meant in the sentence.
There would be a picture database used for all languages. Questions would be saved in simple text files (maybe as XML) including (1) the layout of the current question, (2) the ID for the pictures and sound files used and (3) the string. An exercise would then simply be a list of questions. If a user didn't perform well on some questions, these could then be repeated until he/she gets it. There could be lessons, topics (like greeting, traveling, small talk, etc.) and levels (easy/beginner, medium, difficult/advanced).
Then, users could edit languages or create new ones (which would be great because we would have a free interface for learning the less known languages, like Romansh in Switzerland, or even dialects). So to create Romansh for example, which is similar to Italian, the user would import Italian, translate the questions and create the new sound files. Of course, adding a feature like "dual" (plural form of 2 things, used in semitic languages like arabic, hebrew etc.), pictures of (for example) 2 people would need to be in the database or could be added by the user if necessary.
A language could then be installed through kgethotnewstuff or from a local file (gzipped directory containing text and sound files). There should be an option where to install the pictures and new languages, as this could become quite big.
As you can see, the big work isn't the interface, it's rather adding new languages. I'm sure though that native speakers would be happy to help advertise their language.

Scientific background:
There are two modes of thinking, according to Slovic et al. (2004) and Kahneman (2003). The analytical system relies on probabilities, logical reasoning, evidence and learned rules. It is slow, effortful deliberate and with conscious control. This is what most language learning tools and courses use, like Kwordquiz or Parley or most books. If you are very good, the use of the language becomes intuitive over time, but that's a lot of work. The second thinking mode is the experiental system: It relies on images, metaphors, narratives, experience and affect. This is how you learn your mother tongue or how you think after many many years of using another learned language. It is fast, effortless, automatic, intuitive and affective. This is how the Rosetta Stone software works and basically the goal of this new application. It teaches through images and makes you experience a language. It's much easier and faster to learn a language this way, because it doesn't depend on rules (for grammar for example).
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