A HMM-Based System for Training of Second Language Aquisition

We describe a system for the training of Second Language Acquisition Pronunciation (SLAP) for non-native speakers. This speech recognition-based system is designed to mimic the valuable interactions between second-language students and a fluent teacher. When a student speaks a word into SLAP’s microphone, it is analyzed to determine the part of the word (if any) that is incorrectly pronounced. A fluent utterance of the word is then played back to the student with emphasis on the mispronounced part of the word. Just as a live teacher naturally does, the difficult part of the word is played back louder, extended in time and possibly with higher pitch. We demonstrate SLAP on a multisyllabic word to show typical performance.