Computer-aided language learning rated exceptional aid to college language students; Transparent Language's software combines with tradition for highly effective language learning.

HOLLIS, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 1996-- Transparent Language, author of the Language Now! series of award-winning(a) computer-aided language learning (CALL) programs, has announced results of a two-year, university-sponsored language learning study.

The research, conducted by Professor Deborah Baldini at the University of Missouri, shows that TL's revolutionary approach to language learning strongly benefits students when combined with traditional university-level language learning classes. The study rates Transparent Language's SpanishNow! software for comprehension, speed to proficiency, and understanding of authentic language.

Professor Baldini observed, during a two-year teaching period, that foreign language students experience a slowdown in language learning at the intermediate level. Traditional college-level language instruction is sequential, with beginning students learning to associate symbols (letters) with the sounds they represent. Students then progress to whole word, and then sentence, pronunciation, sight recognition and comprehension of texts which are contrived to recycle grammar and vocabulary.

Advancing to the intermediate level involves the development of inferential or interpretive skills, which are often delayed by vocabulary comprehension, lack of grammar familiarity, and frustration brought about by weak dictionary skills or poor dictionaries. "I found that the frustration of the learning methods was causing students to slow down and have trouble reaching an intermediate language level," Professor Baldini said. To transcend this intermediate-level sticking point, Professor Baldini turned to methods which were not available before widespread desktop computer usage. By using Transparent Language's CALL system, students were able to progress rapidly and easily through the intermediate level.

"I wanted to measure the efficacy of this computer-based method against or in relation to the traditional book and dictionary method," Professor Baldini said, "so I tested several groups of students over a two-year period. I found that students who learned with text and dictionary were disadvantaged over students who learned from computer-based methods. The Transparent Language groups consistently showed better comprehension, faster understanding, and less frustration."

The studies found that much of the slowdown associated with text and dictionary learning came from the disruption caused by having to leave the text to look at the dictionary. Often, language-learning dictionaries are inadequate, as they do not contain particular words or idiomatic expressions that are found in authentic texts. In addition, intermediate level learners have not acquired enough language to determine which translation carries the correct meaning of the word or phrase being translated.

With the Transparent Language software, correct meanings are available on screen for words and root words, phrases and sentences. In addition, the user can click on a sound icon and hear the word, phrase or sentence pronounced by a native speaker. Feedback is immediate. In the study, students were observed to frequently check out this on-screen information. In later discussions, the students professed to have been unaware that they were looking at translations, saying the process was so smooth it did not interfere with their learning.

Many leading educators have chosen LanguageNow! products for the classroom. Universities and colleges such as Harvard, Princeton, Wellesley and Yale, as well as many state and community colleges and high schools and the United States Department of Defense through its National Cryptologic School, teach or reinforce traditional language learning techniques with the TL computer-aided learning approach.

About Transparent Language

A privately held company, Transparent Language Inc. is located in Hollis, New Hampshire. The company develops and markets computer-aided language learning (CALL) products for consumer, education, government and corporate markets. More than 6,000 schools and colleges and 180,000 users worldwide employ the Transparent Language products.

About Deborah Baldini

Professor Baldini is coordinator of Required Courses, Spanish, at the University of Missouri- St. Louis. She has taught Spanish in a technology-rich classroom for four years. Professor Baldini researches the impact of technology on curriculum and instruction, teaches coursework in methods and techniques to student teachers, and organizes workshops in technology integrtion and instruction for high school foreign language teachers. As Advanced Credit Specialist in the College of Arts and Sciences, Professor Baldini is responsible for coordinating and evaluating high school foreign language curriculum for college credit in the University's Advanced Credit Program, in which 52 area high schools are currently involved.

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(a) Recent Transparent Language Awards

-- American Bookseller, Mar. 96, Oct. 95 - Bookseller's Choice:

New Media -- Media and Methods, May 1996 - Awards Portfolio 1996: Best Foreign

Language Learning on CD-ROM -- Anders CD-ROM User Survey of 1996, top-rated foreign language

learning products

For Transparent Language sales information, please call [phone] or fax [phone]. The company's Web site address is http://www.transparent.com

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