1. How does Speedlingua modify listening?
2. Does Speedlingua modify the accent?
3. How many sessions are required to obtain results with Speedlingua?
4. With what frequency should these sessions take place?
5. Will the results obtained with Speedlingua last?
6. Is the learner aware of the development of his pronunciation?
7. What is the overall learning time with the software?
8. When learning the same target language with Speedlingua, do learners obtain
identical results whatever their mother tongue?
9. Is Speedlingua only useful for beginners?
10. What is the added value for each level?
11. Should the user complete all the exercises, whatever his level?
12. What is the point in re-doing the same exercise several times?
13. How is it that a user can complete the beginner and intermediate level exercises with ease but then have difficulty with some of the proficiency level exercises or job interviews?
14. Why is it so important to complete the listening phase?
15. Should you start with a listening phase each time, even if you don’t need to count the hours spent using the software?
16. Should Speedlingua be taught or followed?
17. What is the optimum age for using Speedlingua?
18. Can classic teaching have the same effects on pronunciation as Speedlingua?
19. Is there a difference between Speedlingua and vocal recognition?
20. Is there a difference between Speedlingua and E-learning?
21. How many pronunciation tests must be taken and when?
22. Why choose the "with reference to text" mode?
23. Why choose the "without reference to text" mode?
24. Why choose the manual mode during the pronunciation phase?
25. Why choose the automatic mode during the pronunciation phase?
26. The automatic mode is too fast!
27. The automatic mode is not fast enough!
28. Can I alter the time allowed for repetition?
29. What is the purpose of the listening tests?
30. Why are there no corrections for the listening tests?
31. What is the purpose of the "listen to yourself" function?
32. What is the difference between "interface language" and "target language"?
33. Speedlingua and phonological competence within the common European frame of reference for languages.
34. What is the difference between Speedlingua and Tomatis?
35. Questions about language frequencies and the listening capacity for a human being.
36. Why are there two segments on the table of frequencies for French and Spanish?
37. How does Speedlingua feedback function in the "free speech" exercise (without model)?
38. Why do you need stereo headphones with a microphone to use Speedlingua?
39. What is the license validity of SLPI?
40. What is the difference between SLPN and SLPI?
1. How does Speedlingua modify listening?
Thanks to audio-phonology loop (see diagram). The learner hears his own voice as if he were a native speaker of the language being learnt and his pronunciation is modified instantly and permanently after ten or so hours of use.
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2. Does Speedlingua modify the accent?
Speedlingua can modify accent after a number of sessions which is all the more important because accent is deeply rooted. Speedlingua initially influences the learner’s capacity to hear sounds as they are heard and pronounced by a native speaker. Speedlingua therefore enables Chinese speakers for example, who do not differentiate between «gue» and «ke» to perceive this difference and, thanks to the proposed training, to learn and pronounce these sounds. Speedlingua also enables significant progress to me made in terms of rhythm and prosody.
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3. How many sessions are required to obtain results with Speedlingua?
Everything depends on the learner’s requirements. We would advise a minimum of 10 hours of training split into sessions of 30 to 60 minutes. Initial results are evident from the 3rd session.
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4. With what frequency should these sessions take place?
For a convincing result, a minimum of one session per week and a maximum of 2 sessions per day are recommended.
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5. Will the results obtained with Speedlingua last?
Yes, the results will have a lasting effect. It is nevertheless necessary for the learner to continue to practise the foreign language, i.e. to continue to make use of it, either by taking a course or through interaction with foreigners. If this does not happen, we would advise re-taking e Speedlingua sessions in order to extend the effects of Speedlingua.
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6. Is the learner aware of the development of his pronunciation?
99% of learners who have participated in a large scale experiment at the University of Metz (France) have noted an improvement, notably in their articulation, rhythm and fluidity in pronouncing phrases and especially with long phrases.
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7. What is the overall learning time with the software?
Time is infinite, i.e. the learner can work with the software as many times as he deems necessary. A minimum of 70 exercises with approximately 50 items per exercise are proposed for each language. The aim is to do and re-do the exercises until the learner’s pronunciation is no longer a problem and without needing to use the support text, if possible. The learner also has access to the «free oral expression» activity where he can practise using his own texts or those provided by this tutors and prepare for a presentation or oral exam.
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8. When learning the same target language with Speedlingua, do learners obtain identical results whatever their mother tongue?
The Speedlingua application takes account of the target language (processing of frequencies) and of the individual himself and not of his mother tongue. This enables a more refined processing of listening and speaking. The results obtained therefore vary depending on the function of the ear and the production of each learner and not on his mother tongue language.
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9. Is Speedlingua only useful for beginners?
No, Speedlingua is applicable to all levels. This software can be used to accompany beginners, intermediates and advanced learners.
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10. What is the added value for each level?
Speedlingua can accompany any learner, whatever his level.
A learner beginning to learn a language at an institution can make very rapid progress if working with Speedlingua at the same time. We recommend that beginners start with the exercises specifically dedicated to phonemes and then to move on to the «beginner» and then «intermediate» exercises. A learner at intermediate level may, if he has not worked with the language for a while, follow the same process as a beginner but he will progress more quickly and move onto more complex phrases. If he encounters difficulties, notably with pronouncing certain phonemes, he may also concentrate on exercises concerning these phonemes and then move on to «intermediate» and «proficiency» level exercises and then onto themed exercises.
A learner at proficiency level can, like the learners at other levels, begin with the exercises on the phonemes with which he has difficulties and then move on to the exercises at «proficiency» level and then to themed exercises.
The «free speech» activity refers to all levels as the learner can read or recite content chosen by himself or by a tutor here and thus the content is adapted to his level. He can also speak freely into the microphone to prepare for a presentation or oral exam. In all cases, the processing of the voice is active and leads to an improvement in listening and pronunciation.
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11. Should the user complete all the exercises, whatever his level?
No, a «proficiency» user is not obliged to complete the beginners exercises, for example, but there is no reason why he shouldn’t work on the phonemes which he finds difficult. A learner at beginners level will also not be capable of completing certain exercises at the «proficiency» level or exercises 3 or 4 of the job interview.
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12. What is the point in re-doing the same exercise several times?
Everyone knows that languages are learnt through repetition. The more you repeat, the better your command of the pronunciation of words and phrases and the more capable you will be of differentiating the sounds of the target language and therefore of understanding and making yourself understood, especially through the Speedlingua process.
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13. How is it that a user can complete the beginner and intermediate level exercises with ease but then have difficulty with some of the proficiency level exercises or job interviews?
The phrases in some of the «proficiency» level exercises and some of the «job interviews 3 and 4» are long and difficult to pronounce and are intended for advanced level users. However, even a learner at intermediate level can grasp them with practice and by referring to the text.
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14. Why is it so important to complete the listening phase?
The listening phase prepares the ear to identify sounds in the language being learnt. And as you can only repeat what you hear, this phase is indispensable. This phase is comparable to an athlete’s warm-up.
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15. Should you start with a listening phase each time, even if you don’t need to count the hours spent using the software?
The listening phase prepares the ear to identify sounds in the language being learnt. And as you can only repeat what you hear, this phase is indispensable. This phase is comparable to an athlete’s warm-up.
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16. Should Speedlingua be taught or followed?
Speedlingua can be taught or followed thanks to the tools available in the administration application or through transferring the history by mail into the individual application, although Speedlingua has been designed to enable the user to work and progress alone.
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17. What is the optimum age for using Speedlingua?
From 12 years old. For younger children, specific supervision is required.
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18. Can classic teaching have the same effects on pronunciation as Speedlingua?
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to influence the ear’s ability to identify any frequencies other than that of the mother tongue language, particularly when the learner has not been immersed in a multi-lingual environment from a very young age. It is very difficult to open the ear to these frequencies in classroom. The Speedlingua technology can now fill this gap.
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19. Is there a difference between Speedlingua and vocal recognition?
Vocal recognition refers to technology for transcribing an organic phonatory system accessible using a machine. Vocal recognition is therefore solely a documentation following oral work carried out by the learner. By contrast, Speedlingua provides a dynamic modification of listening in real time, leading to an immediate modification of pronunciation. The learner’s ability is therefore improved on two levels:
1. Listening, discrimination and thus comprehension of spoken material
2. Articulation, rhythm and prosody and thus oral expression.
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20. Is there a difference between Speedlingua and E-learning?
E-Learning means «learning on-line». Speedlingua currently uses «off-line» technology. Speedlingua must therefore be present on the machine used by the learner, either individually or as part of a network.
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21. How many pronunciation tests must be taken and when?
Apart from the compulsory pronunciation test at the beginning, the ideal situation is to take a test mid-training and in all cases, another at the end of training with Speedlingua. The learner will only have access to the first and last pronunciation tests in the history file.
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22. Why choose the «with reference to text» mode?
The «with reference to text» mode is useful when the phrases are longer and therefore more difficult to memorise. It can also be useful if a learner is finding it difficult to visualise a word or phrase he has heard. Another method of working which has proved to be very effective is to remain in the «with reference to text» mode and to keep your eyes closed, opening them only if you do not understand the text. This provides maximum concentration on listening.
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23. Why choose the «without reference to text» mode?
The «without reference to text» mode enables the learner to concentrate on what he hears and not on what he reads. This is the most effective way of training listening and pronunciation. However, after first trying an exercise with the «without reference to text» mode, the learner can try a second time in the «with reference to text» mode if he wishes to see the spelling of the words of phrases spoken. Another method of working which has proved to be very effective is to remain in the «with reference to text» mode and to keep your eyes closed, opening them only if you do not understand the text. This provides maximum concentration on listening.
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24. Why choose the manual mode during the pronunciation phase?
The manual mode enables the learner to improve his rhythm. If he wishes, he may repeat the same item several times in a row before moving on to the next item.
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25. Why choose the automatic mode during the pronunciation phase?
The automatic mode enables the learner to concentrate solely on listening and pronunciation. He does not need to click on a button to move on to the next item. This ensures that a good dynamic remains.
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25. Why choose the automatic mode during the pronunciation phase?
The automatic mode enables the learner to concentrate solely on listening and pronunciation. He does not need to click on a button to move on to the next item. This ensures that a good dynamic remains.
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26. The automatic mode is too fast!
To increase the time allowed for repetition, simply enter and move the cursor upwards.
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27. The automatic mode is not fast enough!
To decrease the time allowed for repetition, simply enter and move the cursor downwards.
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28. Can I alter the time allowed for repetition?
Yes, simply enter and move the cursor in the direction of the speed setting required.
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29. What is the purpose of the listening tests?
The listening tests serve to test the ability of the learner to discriminate between sounds.
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30. Why are there no corrections for the listening tests?
The listening tests are more for fun and allow the learner to find out whether or not he is able to discriminate between sounds. The more Speedlingua is used, the better the score will be. These tests do not provide any indication of pronunciation.
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31. What is the purpose of the «listen to yourself» function?
When the learner speaks into the microphone, his voice is analysed, processed by the software and relayed into the headphones in less than 20 milliseconds. This enables the listener to modify his pronunciation in real time. As it is not easy for the learner to assess his own pronunciation, the «listen to yourself» function enables him to hear his pronunciation with a degree of hindsight and to compare it to the model (except for free oral expression). To ensure that the learner remains in a production dynamic, we would not advise that this function is used systematically.
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32. What is the difference between «interface language» and «target language»?
The «interface language» is the language in which the interface is written, i.e. the instructions and the screens. As a general rule, this is the learner’s mother tongue. The learner must select this language at the beginning before entering his user name and password. If his mother tongue does not feature in the list, the learner should select the language he knows best. The «target language» is the language the learner wishes to learn using Speedlingua.
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33. Speedlingua and phonological competence within the common European frame of reference for languages
According to this European framework, phonological competence assumes a knowledge of perception and production and an aptitude to perceive and produce:
• the sound units of the language (phonemes) and their production in specific contexts (allophones)
• the phonetic traits which distinguish a language
• the phonetic composition of words
• the prosody of the phrase
Thanks to Speedlingua, a learner can climb the ladders cited below to arrive at a good command of the phonological system:
A1: Pronunciation of a very limited repertoire of memorised expressions and words which, with some effort, can be understood by a native speaker who is used to interacting with speakers from the learner’s/user’s linguistic group.
A2: Overall, pronunciation is sufficiently clear to be understood despite a strong foreign accent but the speaker is sometimes required to repeat himself.
B1: Pronunciation is clearly intelligible even if a foreign accent is sometimes evident and pronunciation errors arise at times.
B2: Has acquired a clear and natural pronunciation and intonation.
C1: Can vary intonation and place phrasal accent correctly so as to express fine nuances of meaning.
C2: as for C1
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34. What is the difference between Speedlingua and Tomatis?
The Speedlingua process has its origins in the medical definitions of Dr Tomatis (ORL) as recognised by the academy of medicine and who has developed the following 3 laws, amongst other things:
First law: «the voice only contains what the ear hears.»
Second law: «if we restore to the ear the possibility of correctly hearing frequencies which have been lost or compromised, these are instantly and unconsciously reproduced in vocal emissions.»
Third law: «auditory stimulation maintained during a determined period of time modifies the auto-listening position of the subject through the phenomenon of remanence and, as a result, modifies pronunciation.»
Speedlingua applies exclusively to the audio-phonatory domain relating to language learning through a unique and patented process. This is not the same process as that of Dr Tomatis, ORL whose work from 1950 to 1980 related in particular to the medical field. Speedlingua adopts an educational approach as well as very sophisticated and up-to-date learning supports and technology which are specific to Speedlingua and which focus on developing the learner’s linguistic competence.
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35. Question about language frequencies and the listening capacity for a human being
Human hearing ranges across a sound spectrum from the low notes to the high notes, covering 16 periods/ second or cycles/ second or hertz up to roughly 16,000 periods or hertz.
However, across this broad spectrum, which covers 11 octaves, not all frequencies are perceived in the same manner. There are preferential zones known as «pass bands» which favour certain sound ranges to the detriment of others which are less favoured.
What do the pass bands depend on?
The essential characteristic of the «English» type of hearing and phonation is a high level of sensitivity to the high-pitched sounds. In fact, a frequency analysis of the English speech chain reveals that, from 2000 hertz, the envelope curve shows a definite progression of the order of 6 decibels per octave which continues in excess of 10,000 hertz. The abundance of sibilants in the English language is the consequence of this and the preponderance of high-pitched sounds in the vocal range explains the presence of systematic diphthongs within the vowels and even of triphthongs (change of tone from two to three times in the same vowel). The very high number of cycles per second also explains the contractions systematically used in the English language.
It is clear that the person who asked the question is confusing the pass band for a telephone with that of a language. The telephone has a pass band of between 400Hz and 3’400Hz. This artificial limitation of the voice was introduced to enable more long distance calls through the international networks. The following website will explain this clearly: electronics.howstuffworks.com
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36. Why are there 2 segments on the table of frequencies for French and Spanish?
The table of frequencies which we have in all our documents is a table of frequency territories (pass bands) for certain languages. In order to better characterise the different linguistic profiles, the tables enclosed show the pass band and envelope curve with the frequencies being indicated on the X-axis and intensities on the Y-axis. Thus it is evident that French has two ranges with peaks, one in the low pitch region at 250 hertz and the other in the high-pitch region around 1500 hertz with an intensity difference of the order of 20 decibels.
Similarly, in Spanish a high level of sensitivity to low-pitch sounds is evident over a large band which extends up to 500 hertz and at a lower level (-10 decibels), with a narrow band running from 1500 to 2000 hertz, peaking at around 1800 hertz.
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37. How does Speedlingua feedback function in the «free speech» exercise (without model)?
The learner’s voice is processed in real time in the dominant frequencies of the target language, enabling self-correction.
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38. Why do you need stereo headphones with a microphone to use Speedlingua?
The microphone, placed close to the mouth, provides a good sound quality and reduces external sound.
The stereo headphones are essential as the software gives dominance to the right ear at a ratio of 60/40. The right ear is the learning ear as it communicates with the left hemisphere of the brain where the phonological memory is situated (acoustic and linguistic).
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39. What is the license validity of SLPI?
As soon as the software is installed, the license is valid 12 months.
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40. What is the difference between SLPN and SLPI?
• SLPN (Speedlingua Professional Network) is the Speedlingua Professional version installed on the Network (several working stations, several languages, and several users). SLPN includes the administration application.
• SLPI (Speedlingua Professional Individual) is an individual version (1 PC, 1 user, 1 language). SLPI includes a transferable history file (session report).
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