LANGUAGE TEACHER VERSION 1.0
User’s Guide
May 13, 1998
University of Massachusetts Boston, Harbor Campus
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
LANGUAGE TEACHER VERSION 1.0
User’s Guide
May 13, 1998
Prepared for:
University of Massachusetts Boston, Harbor Campus
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
Professors Henry Batterman and William Campbell
Prepared by:
Language Teacher (LT) Project Team
Satit Phanichyakarn, Project Lead
Contributors: James R. Hill, William Perry, Sagar Malisetti
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1
2.0 GETTING STARTED
2
Your Language Teacher Package
Installing Your Software
Create An Icon To Run Your Language Teacher
Starting Your Language Teacher
3.0 CONFIGURING YOUR OPTIONS
3
Languages, Colors, Sound, Fonts, and Size
Saving Your Options
4.0 READING IN A SECONDARY LANGUAGE
4
Retrieving Text In Language Teacher
Getting Translation and Definition of Selected Words
Building A List of Vocabulary Words
Reviewing Your List Of Vocabulary Words
5.0 VOCABULARY EXERCISES
6
Matching Vocabulary And Translations
Fill-In The Blanks
6.0 BUILDING VOCABULARY LIST AND HISTORY
9
Listing Of Current Vocabulary Words
Adding Words to History From Current Vocabulary List
7.0 MAINTAINING VOCABULARY HISTORY
10
Reviewing Your Vocabulary History
Removing Words from Your History
YOUR NOTES
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iii
1.0
INTRODUCTION
This user’s guide describes how to install, set up and configure your options available with the Language
Teacher (LT) product. It covers the basic features that allow you to read text in a new or secondary
language; development of a vocabulary list; use of vocabulary list in exercises designed to enhance
vocabulary retention; and development of a vocabulary history.
LT operates in a “stand alone” mode and/or interconnected with the Internet. Sample text is made
available directly for you on the system. You can also retrieve text from the Internet, if an Internet
connection is available, you may retrieve text for your exercise from it.
Reading; Reviewing; Exercises; List, and History
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Installation Files
Language Teacher (LT) Java Classes
Java Foundation Classes (JFC)/Swing
Java Development Kit (JDK)
Sample Text (Text Files)
Miscellaneous Files (Icons, Graphics, Dictionaries, etc.)
Internet
LANGUAGE TEACHER (LT)
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2.0
GETTING STARTED
Your Language Teacher Package
Your package should contain the following items: CD-ROM, and a User’s Guide. The software package
comes with all you need on a single CD ROM, including:
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Installation Files
Language Teacher (LT) Java Classes
Java Foundation Classes (JFC)/Swing
Java Development Kit (JDK)
Sample Text (Text Files)
Miscellaneous Files (Icons, Graphics, Dictionaries, etc.)
Installing Your Software
Insert the CD-ROM into CD-ROM drive.
Double click on "My Computer" on desktop. A list of “My Computer” icons will be shown.
Double click on CD-ROM Icon which says "LanguageTeacher." This will display all folders
and files from the CD-ROM
Double click on file "Install.bat"
Files are copied from the CD-ROM to your system. You will see a message at the end of
install saying “Language Teacher install completed.” Language Teacher has been installed to
your local hard drive.
Close the window. You are ready to run the Language Teacher application.
Create An Icon To Run Your Language Teacher
Double click on “My Computer “ icon
Double click on C: drive icon .
Double click on a Folder called “Language Teacher V1.0”.
Click on “Create Shortcut” to create a short cut to run the Language Teacher application.
Drag shortcut icon onto desktop. Close open windows and see an Icon for LanguageTeacher.
Starting Your Language Teacher
Double click on Shortcut icon on your desk top to run the Language Teacher application. A
MSDOS window will open indicating the application has been started
The main window of Language Teacher will open and you are ready to use the application.
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3.0
CONFIGURING YOUR OPTIONS
Languages, Colors, Sound, Fonts, and Size
If you want to change the primary or secondary language being used in the LT program, select the
‘Options’ menu, clicks on the “Primary Language” or “Secondary Language” selection. The current
language is shown with a drop down choice of other available languages. The current setting is noted with
a check beside it. Select a desired language. The interface will be displayed in the primary language.
The same basic scenario occurs if you desire to change the sound options, color scheme, or any other
future option. However, the options working in Language Teacher Version 1.0 are languages, font, and
size.
Similarly (but not shown in figure), if you want to change the font or size of the text being used in the LT
program, select the ‘Format’ menu, click on the choice and select the desired setting.
Saving Your Options
Changes are saved for you when the system is shut down. When you re-start, options will be as you left
them.
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4.0
READING IN A SECONDARY LANGUAGE
Reading Text View Of Language Teacher
The ‘Read’ view of the LT user interface maintains the basic layout of LT. It has three areas. The top
area or panel contains the main menu, a toolbar that holds the primary function buttons, and a text field for
the user to enter a source of text material. During reading, the READ button is inactive, i.e., “clicking” on
it does nothing. By contrast, “clicking” on any of the other function buttons will cause LT to switch to the
corresponding view of the function selected. Beside the “Source” text field there is an ENTER button
which activates LT to search and retrieve the text material specified. A keyboard “Enter” input with the
cursor located in the “Source” text field is functionally equivalent to “clicking” on the ENTER button.
The center area contains a panel for active text presented in the secondary language. The caption for the
text area identifies the active secondary language. For visual effect, the area is decorated with relevant
icons. The text area needs scrollbars as we expect the active text will frequently exceed the space
available. Translations and definitions are presented in two text areas in the bottom part of the screen
when words are selected in the active text. There is an ACCEPT button that when clicked will save the
word and translation selected for later review. The bottom area remains as a user feedback area for things
like “No Translation Found.”
RetrievingText In Language Teacher
You retrieve text for reading in a secondary language as follows. A SampleTest on disk and/or the
Internet serve as sources of the text. You tell the system where to obtain the text via a text field labeled
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“Source.” The text is identified as active text and is displayed to you in a main text window in the middle
of the screen. Since active text may exceed the display size of the main text window, scrollbars may be
used to view the active text from beginning to end.
Getting Definition Of Selected Words
While reading the active text, words may be encountered that are unfamiliar to you. When a word is
selected, the system translates it to a word in your primary language. The translation is done by the
system using a translation dictionary. Definition(s), also in your primary language, are retrieved from a
definition dictionary and presented to you in a special text window for “Definitions.”
You may study the definition(s) of the selected word and make a decision to keep the word or not for later
exercises. If you decide to keep the word, an ACCEPT button in the lower right area is clicked to save the
word and its associated translation.
Building A List Of Vocabulary Words
When a word is selected and “Accept” is clicked while reading, the system puts the word in a word list
along with its translation and the sentence from which it was selected. Upon clicking a new word, the
system removes the old definition - leaving you free to continue reading. You may wish to continue
reading. More words may encountered that are unfamiliar. You may select these words, obtain
translations and definitions, and decide to keep them or not. This process is repeated until you are
finished reading the current active text.
When you are finished reading the current active text, you may clear it by clicking an “X” on the upper
right-hand corner of the main text window. Reading may continue with a new source of active text. New
active text is obtained via the “Source” text field as before. It is read. Words are selected. Definition(s)
are furnished. Decisions are made to keep the words or not. More active text is obtained and so on until
you are completely finished reading.
When finished reading, you may select a new function. The systems clears the main text window, the new
function interface view is presented to you and the “Read” button in the system toolbar becomes active
again. The word list built during this session is saved by the system for your use in subsequent system
functions and exercises.
Reviewing Your List Of Vocabulary Words
If you want to review the vocabulary selected during a reading session, the “Review” button from the
system’s toolbar is clicked. The vocabulary contained in the word list generated by a reading session is
retrieved by the system for review. It is displayed in a text window in the middle of the screen. Since the
word list may exceed the display size of the main text window, scrollbars may be used to view the word
list from top to bottom.
While reviewing the vocabulary, you may wish to re-look at a word’s translation(s) and definition(s).
When a word is selected from the word list, its associated definition is presented in a special text window
near the bottom of the screen. You may review the translation(s) and definition(s) of the word. When
done, a “Clear” button is clicked, then the system removes the system removes the text and you may
continue to review the vocabulary list.
If you decide to remove a word from the word list. you tell the system to delete the word by selecting the
word and clicking “Delete” from the “Edit” menu. Then the system removes it. This process continues
until you are finished reviewing.
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5.0
VOCABULARY EXERCISES
Matching Vocabulary And Translations
When you select the “Match” function, the system presents a match view. It opens a two column text
window. The current word list generated earlier during a reading session is used. The words from the list
are randomly ordered and presented in the left side column. The translations are also randomly ordered
and displayed for you in the right side column. Since both the words and translations may exceed the text
window size, scrollbars may be used to view the lists from top to button. The scrollbars for each side
work independently of each other. The translations in the right side are enumerated using positive
numerical digits (numbers), i.e., 1, 2, 3, .... To the right of the words, a text field is provided for matching
entries.
Study the words and translations. When a matching translation for a selected word is believed to have
been found, you enter the number corresponding to the translation in the text field adjacent to the
matching word. Continue until finished. You may also ask the system for the answers by clicking
“Answers.” Blank fields are treated by the system as errors.
The score is presented in a text field at the bottom of the screen labeled “Score.” Incorrect matching
entries are highlighted around the text fields corresponding to the erroneous matches. You may then
attempt to correct the errors or ask the system for the answers as before. You may also clear the answers
in the boxes next to the words by clicking a “Clear” button and start over.
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5.0
VOCABULARY EXERCISES (CONTINUED)
Fill-In The Blanks View Of Language Teacher
The ‘Exercise’ view of the LT user interface maintains the basic layout of LT. It has three areas. The top
area or panel, the center area, and the bottom feedback area. During this exercise, the EXERCISE button
in the top area is inactive, i.e., “clicking” on it does nothing. The center area contains a panel for
filling-in-the-blanks with vocabulary words or keyword list selected during the reading session. LT
presents sentences in which vocabulary words were selected. Letters of the words are shown as “dashes.”
The user replaces dashes with letters of the word. There are four buttons. The ENTER button, tells LT to
check entry and compute the score. REPEAT takes the user back to the last word/sentence. NEXT takes
the user to the next sentence on the keyword list. Answers may be obtained by “clicking” the SEE
ANSWER button. A score is tallied and displayed a four text fields labeled as “Correct,” “Errors,”
“Assists,” and “Total.”.
When a you select the “Exercise” function, the system presents the exercise view to you. It opens a main
text window. The current word list generated earlier during a reading session is used. In the text window,
the system, displays sentences from the word list without the word or keyword. The keyword is replaced
by a series of dashes where each dash represents a letter of the missing keyword.
For example, the keyword might be “mucho” in a sentence like ”En el banco nacional hay ----- dinero.”
The system positions the cursor just to the left of the first dash.
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You fill-in the keyword by typing each letter. As you type each letter, the system replaces the dash to the
right of the cursor with the typed letter and advances the cursor one space to the right. When you
complete the keyword, “Enter” is clicked and the score is tallied. “Correct!!” is displayed as feedback to
you for successful completion of the missing keyword. “Oops.” is shown for erroneous or incomplete
entries.
You may get assistance from the system while filling-in the letters of the missing keyword. If you hit the
<ESC> key when the cursor is to the right of a dash. The dash is replaced by the correct corresponding
letter of the keyword. The cursor is moved to the right. The “Assists” total is incremented and displayed.
You may also get a complete answer by clicking the “See Answer” button at the bottom of the text field.
If you click the “Definition” submenu item under the “Exercise” menu item of the “Functions” menu, the
keyword definition is presented to you in a special text window called. You may study the definition(s) of
the word. When done, a “Clear” button is clicked, then the system removes the definition and you may
continue the vocabulary exercise.
You move to the next sentence by clicking the “Next” button. You may go back to the previous sentence
by clicking the “Repeat” button. You continue filling-in the keywords until each sentence in the word list
has been exercised.
When finished with the vocabulary exercise function, you may select a new function. The system clears
the main text window, the new function interface view is presented to you and the “Exercise” button in the
system toolbar becomes active again.
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6.0
BUILDING VOCABULARY LIST AND HISTORY
Listing Of Current Vocabulary Words
If you want to see the list of the vocabulary words and their corresponding translations selected during a
reading session, the “List” button from the system’s toolbar is clicked. The vocabulary contained in the
word list generated by a reading session is retrieved by the system for the list. It is displayed in a text
window in the middle of the screen. Since the word list may exceed the display size of the main text
window, scrollbars may be used to view the word list from top to bottom.
Adding Words to History From Current Vocabulary List
You may decide to add a word and its translation from the current word list to the history file. To do this,
tell the system to add the word by selecting the word and clicking “Insert” from the “Edit” menu. The
system will add it and its associated translation to the history file. You may continue this until your
finished.
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7.0
MAINTAINING VOCABULARY HISTORY
Reviewing Your Vocabulary History
If you want to see a list of the vocabulary words and translations from the history file, the “History”
button from the system’s toolbar is clicked. The vocabulary history has been generated and saved by one
or more list session(s). It is displayed in a text window in the middle of the screen. Since the vocabulary
history may exceed the display size of the main text window, scrollbars may be used to view the history
from top to bottom.
Removing Words from Your History
You may decide to delete a word and its translation from the history file. To do this, tell the system to
delete the word by selecting the word and clicking “Delete” from the “Edit” menu. The system will
remove it and its associated translation from the history file. Continues until your finished.
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YOUR NOTES
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YOUR NOTES
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