Language study system and method employing multifaceted block device representation system

摘要

A composition in the target language is parsed into plural different linguistic components, including sound level, grammar level and at least one functional grammar level component. The linguistic components are then expressed on different facets of an n-sided block device representation system according to predefined sets of rules. The facets of the block device may then be selectively examined by the learner to visualize how the target language functions to express the composition with respect to the way sounds, grammar and functional grammar are used. The block device representation system may be computer-implemented, rendering the facets on display panels associated with physical blocks, or as computer-generated images upon a display device.

主权项

1. A method of teaching a language through literature study comprising the steps of:
furnishing a composition selected from the literature in the target language being taught, parsing the composition into plural different linguistic component levels, the levels including a sound level, a grammar level and at least one functional grammar level; providing an electronically configurable block system comprising a plurality of electronically intercommunicating physical blocks providing an electronic display that presents an electronically generated image representing a first facet, a second facet and a third facet applying a predefined set of sound rules according to the target language to generate and display on said first facet a first visual representation that maps the parsed sound level of the composition to a first sequence of individual graphical symbols selected from a first group of symbols representing the sounds employed by the target language, the number of individual graphical symbols of said first sequence corresponding to the number of individual parsed sounds in the composition; applying a predefined set of grammar rules according to the target language to generate and display on said second facet a second visual representation that maps the parsed grammar level of the composition to a second sequence of graphical symbols selected from a second group of symbols representing the grammatical parts of speech employed by the target language; applying a predefined set of functional grammar rules according to the target language to generate and display on said third facet a third visual representation that maps the parsed functional grammar level of the composition to a third sequence of graphical symbols selected from a third group of symbols representing the function of grammatical structures employed by the target language being taught; using said electronically configurable block system to define plural n-sided blocks, each block having plural facets onto which the first, second and third visual representations may be applied; selecting a number of said blocks equal in number to the number of individual parsed sounds in the composition and applying said first sequence of individual graphical symbols to first facets of said number of blocks and aligning the blocks to maintain the order of first sequence; while retaining the alignment of said number of blocks, applying said second sequence of graphical symbols to second facets of said number of blocks; while retaining the alignment of said number of blocks, applying said third sequence of graphical symbols to third facets of said number of blocks; selectively viewing the first, second and third facets of said number of blocks to visualize how the target language functions to express the composition with respect to way the sounds, grammar and functional grammar are used.