Practical Research and Development of a Listening Program to Assist Japanese Learners of English by Providing Intensive Support to Overcome Individual Weaknesses

为了克服听众无法正确理解以英语为母语的人的简单日常对话，进行了实践研究，以开发一个电子学习程序，通过增加学习者的语言知识，而不是一个自上而下的方法，涉及基于词汇识别和理解整体上下文的理解。我们证实了先前的实验结果，表明我们的英语听力系统的有效性，该系统专注于改善较差的语音分析和无法听到连音或非重读音。2）为了进一步提高英语听力系统的有效性，我们开发了一个使用对话的阴影练习程序。3）关于上面的1）和2）点，我们在第46届和第47届日本语言教育和技术协会年会上发表了演讲。（2006 & 2007）并收到了专家的反馈。4）为了确保目前听力系统的长期可行性，我们创建了1,000多个英语句子，并在两个级别上记录下来，清晰级别和自然级别，5）我们计划通过整合各种组件，如基于项目反应理论的问题以及听写风格的问题，继续提高基于互联网的听力测量系统的可靠性。为了解决学习者不能以自然速度处理会话的问题，我们已经建立了一个基于互联网的系统，用于自动评估和记录学习者的阅读能力，该系统适用于任何类型的英语文本。7）我们还计划使用这个阅读系统来收集数据，以证实我们的阅读听力学习螺旋假设。8）关于6）点和7），我们计划在2008年8月举行的WorldCALL 2008上展示。

In order to overcome the inability of listeners to correctly comprehend even simple daily conversations by native English speakers, practical research was conducted to develop an e-learning program to increase the share of bottom-up listening comprehension skills by increasing learners' knowledge about language, rather than a top-down approach which involves comprehension based on vocabulary recognition and understanding overall context.1) We confirmed previous results of experiments indicating the effectiveness of our English listening system which focuses on improving poor phonological analysis and the inability to hear liaison or unstressed sounds.2) In order to further increase the effectiveness of the English listening system, we developed a shadowing practice program using conversations.3) In regards to points 1) and 2) above, we have presented at the 46th and 47th Annual Conference for The Japan Association for Language Education and Technology (2006 & 2007) and have received feedback from experts.4) To ensure long-term viability of the current listening system, more than 1,000 English sentences were created and recorded in two levels, clear level and natural level, using female and male voices.5) We plan to continue improving the reliability of the Internet-based Listening Measurement System by incorporating a variety of components such as questions based in Item Response Theory as well as dictation-style questions.6) In order to tackle the problem of learners' inadequacy to process conversations at natural speed, we have constructed an Internet-based system for automatically evaluating and recording learners' reading ability which is adaptable to any type of English text.7) We also plan to use this reading system to gather data to substantiate our Reading Listening Learning Spiral Hypothesis.8) In regards to points 6) and 7), we plan to present at WorldCALL 2008 which will be held in August of 2008.