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About
VPSL
About EyeSpeak
Installing EyeSpeak
Purchasing EyeSpeak
Teaching with EyeSpeak
Using EyeSpeak at Home
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- About VPSL
What does VPSL mean?
Where is VPSL located?
-
About EyeSpeak
What is EyeSpeak?
How is EyeSpeak different
from any other language software?
Does EyeSpeak work?
Why does EyeSpeak distinguish
between male and female speakers?
What is speech recognition?
Who is it aimed to help?
Why do I need to register
my country of origin?
Why is visual feedback
so important when learning English?
How can I update the
software?
- Installing EyeSpeak
Can I install EyeSpeak
on the computer network of the school?
Does the software come
with the headset?
What are the computer
requirements needed to install and run EyeSpeak?
The sound does not work
– what can I do?
Is it possible to install
the same software on several computers?
Can I burn the software
for my friend?
- Purchasing EyeSpeak
Where can I find EyeSpeak?
How much does it cost?
How many licenses can
I purchase?
Can I buy EyeSpeak as
an individual student?
Can I buy EyeSpeak through
the web site?
Is the web site secure?
Teaching with EyeSpeak
- Teaching
With EyeSpeak
Can I run a class using
EyeSpeak?
Can several students
use the same computer?
Can teachers change the
settings?
Does the software store
students’ progress?
Can I use EyeSpeak if
I do not know the phonetic alphabet?
Can I choose a specific
lesson plan for each of my students?
Does EyeSpeak teach only
pronunciation?
Can I monitor students
individually?
How do students benefit
from using EyeSpeak?
- Using EyeSpeak at home
How
many times a week should I use EyeSpeak?
What kinds of accents
can I learn using EyeSpeak?
How do I know that I
improve my pronunciation?
I am computer illiterate,
how can I use EyeSpeak efficiently?
If something goes wrong,
where can I get support and advice?
Can I change the settings
and practice what I want?
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What does
VPSL mean?
VPSL means Visual Pronunciation Software Limited. The
company’s vision statement is “to be a proactive
and forward-thinking software company that is recognized
as a world leader in teaching all aspects of foreign
languages; and to set a world standard by using the
latest technology to make learning languages an exciting
and rewarding experience for all learners”. VPSL
produces a unique software, EyeSpeak, that teaches English
pronunciation.
Where is VPSL
located?
VPSL’s Head Office is located in Christchurch,
New Zealand. Though New Zealand is a small country,
it is a breeding ground for the development of new technologies.
If you would like to know more about Christchurch, go
to the following web site: www.christchurch.org.nz
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What is EyeSpeak?
All learners of English as a foreign language will agree
that pronunciation is a major hurdle to overcome in
order to communicate successfully with others. Though
it is essential to know how to say English words properly,
pronunciation is often overlooked or dealt with very
poorly. EyeSpeak is a new software using unique technology
to teach students on a one-to-one basis. EyeSpeak uses
speech recognition technique to give personalized visual
feedback to students. Lesson plans can be adapted to
fulfill individual students’ needs and help them
improve their pronunciation fast. A tracking progress
tab shows students how well they pronounce words.
Why is EyeSpeak
different from any other language software? Other
language software use other techniques to show students
how they perform. These techniques do not explain what
students do wrong and how they can improve. However,
EyeSpeak uses the latest speech recognition system to
analyze a student’s accent and contrast it to
their tutor’s. This speech recognition technique
enables the student’s and their tutor’s
voice to be plotted on a graph, thus providing visual
feedback to the student. This technology is unique.
EyeSpeak also clearly explains how the student should
position their tongue in their mouth to improve their
pronunciation (e.g. forward and up). A picture of the
student’s mouth is compared with that of their
tutor, thus showing whether students have the right
pronunciation. A progress tracking record is available
so students know how well they perform.
Does EyeSpeak
work?
Yes! EyeSpeak works and all the students who use this
software on a regular basis will agree. Teachers enjoy
incorporating EyeSpeak into their curriculum, making
it more exciting and interactive, and students enjoy
practicing with it. Schools who have already purchased
EyeSpeak are very enthusiastic and confirm that EyeSpeak
is a great investment. Do not hesitate to read some
of the Testimonials received by VPSL.
Why does EyeSpeak
distinguish between male and female speakers?
When you use EyeSpeak for the first time, you will have
to register your gender, so that EyeSpeak can recommend
a specific tutor who matches your voice very closely.
It then becomes easier for you to practice the different
phonemes (i.e. sounds) and improve your pronunciation
rapidly. For more variety and fun when practicing, it
is possible for you to change tutor and learn other
accents (British, American, New Zealand).
What is speech
recognition?
Speech recognition is a technical term to describe what
happens when you speak in your microphone. The computer
“hears” the words you say, recognizes the
sounds and tells you if you pronounced the words properly
or not. The computer is able to match the sounds you
produce to those pre-programmed. EyeSpeak is a smart
software package analyzing words and sounds from a wide
variety of speakers to give personalized feedback.
Who is it
aimed to help?
Students of all ages learn English throughout the world,
and most of them experience difficulties when trying
to pronounce words in an appropriate manner. Though
EyeSpeak is a versatile software used by a wide variety
of students, its current design is more adequate for
older students (secondary school) to mature students
(tertiary school, further education, adult learning).
Subsequent software versions will be available to a
broader range of students, including young learners.
Why do I need
to register my country of origin?
When you log on for the first time, EyeSpeak will ask
your country of origin. EyeSpeak is a smart software
that automatically identifies pronunciation problems
according to your background. For instance, Chinese
students will have more difficulties pronouncing “L”
and “R” properly than German students. Specific
lesson plans are then suggested to the students, so
they can focus their pronunciation practice on these
problem areas. However, it is possible to modify these
lesson plans and adapt the difficulty level of each
exercise.
Why is visual
feedback so important when learning English?
Teaching pronunciation is a very tricky matter, as a
student’s hearing capacity and speaking ability
vary from one to another. EyeSpeak is based on a totally
different approach to teaching pronunciation and uses
personalized visual feedback to guide students during
their practice sessions. Visual feedback clearly shows
students why their pronunciation is not as good as that
of their personal tutor and how they can progress. Students
improve their pronunciation because they do not have
to rely on their hearing but rather on their eyesight.
Teachers can also explain the visual feedback to students
who may not clearly see the graph. As a result, students
get more opportunities to understand and improve their
specific pronunciation problems.
How can I
update the software?
Easy! When you purchase EyeSpeak for the first time,
your name will be added to our mailing list so that
you can receive regular information about the company
and its new software (unless you decide to opt out of
the mailing list). Your local VPSL Distributor, as well
as the company’s web site, will also provide you
with the latest information. When you want to update
your version of EyeSpeak, your local VPSL Distributor
will take your order, or you can contact us at the VPSL’s
Head Office. It is possible and easy to purchase EyeSpeak
online (secure web site for credit card payments).
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Can I install
EyeSpeak on the computer network of the school?
Yes! EyeSpeak is a user friendly software that can be
installed and run on the network of your school very
easily and without interfering with other applications/programs.
Teachers will be able to use EyeSpeak with their students
during class time, and students will also be able to
practice at their own leisure. Click
Here to contact us regarding multi-user licencing.
Does the
software come with the headset?
Yes! EyeSpeak comes in a package that includes the CD-ROM,
the user guide and a free pair of headset.
What are
the computer requirements needed to install and run
EyeSpeak? Computer requirements are kept to a
minimum so that EyeSpeak can be run on a wide variety
of computers without any problem. For EyeSpeak 2, you
will need 700 MB on your hard disk with 128 MB of RAM,
and 400 MHz (or more). Add to these basic specifications
a USB port and you are set! EyeSpeak 1.5 and EyeSpeak
2 are compatible with Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000 and XP.
If you want to know more, go to General Requirements.
The sound
does not work – what can I do?
See Technical specifications - sound.
Is it possible
to install the same software on several computers?
Yes. You can install one CD-Rom on as many computers
as you wish. However each computer will need one specific
numeric key to activate EyeSpeak. This numeric key cannot
be duplicated and is provided by VPSL for each license
of EyeSpeak purchased. Whether the computers are networked
or not does not make any difference in installing and
running EyeSpeak.
Can I burn
the software for my friend?
No. You cannot burn the EyeSpeak CD-ROM for two reasons.
(1) There is a question of Intellectual Property/Copyright
which makes it illegal for you to copy EyeSpeak.
(2)Technically you need one numeric key per computer
to activate the program once it has been installed.
This numeric key is obtained only after purchasing a
license of EyeSpeak.
If you need a copy for your friend, you will need to
contact your local VPSL Distributor or the company’s
Head Office. You will receive EyeSpeak shortly after.
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Where can
I find EyeSpeak?
EyeSpeak is available to education providers and students,
and can be purchased in any country. You can buy EyeSpeak
online or contact your local Distributor. For more information
you can also Contact
us.
How much
does it cost?
You will need to contact your local distributor or the
head office for a quote. EyeSpeak’s price depends
on the version of the software you want to purchase,
the quantity of licenses you need, and the nature of
the purchaser (education provider or individual student).
How many
licenses can I purchase?
You can purchase as many EyeSpeak licenses as you want.
Depending on the number of licenses you order, you will
benefit from a discount. Contact your local VPSL Distributor
or the head office for more information . Click
Here
Can I buy
EyeSpeak as an individual student?
Definitely! EyeSpeak is available to students who want
to practice and improve their pronunciation skills in
the privacy of their home and at their own leisure.
Sometimes, class practice with other students may not
be enough or can be embarrassing and frustrating, that
is why VPSL recognizes the need for students to be able
to practice on their own. Individual students can purchase
single licence packages. Click
Here
Can I buy
EyeSpeak through the web site?
Yes. You can order as many licenses of EyeSpeak as you
need through our web site. Just click on Online
Orders and follow the few steps. You will then be
sent to the secure payment page when submitting your
order, which will be processed soon after confirmation
of payment details. EyeSpeak will be sent to the delivery
address mentioned in the order. If you have any questions
you can contact
us.
Is the web
site secure?
Yes! The VPSL web site is totally secure and any credit
card payment is safe. Your order is processed as soon
as payment confirmation comes through, and you can expect
to receive your EyeSpeak software not long after. All
the information you provide to VPSL is treated confidentially
and not used for other purposes than the ones it is
supposed to serve. You can access your information by
contacting us.
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Can I run
a class using EyeSpeak?
Yes! EyeSpeak is a versatile software that complements
a teacher’s lesson very well. EyeSpeak is easily
included into the curriculum at various levels of teaching
(prolonged use for beginners, sporadic use for intermediates,
refresher course for advanced etc). More and more teachers
use EyeSpeak on a regular basis in their classroom,
as this software provides unique benefits to both teachers
and students. EyeSpeak enables teachers to do an one-on-one
teaching to a whole class and students to improve their
specific pronunciation problems.
Can several
students use the same computer?
Yes! Students can use the same computer when practicing
their pronunciation with EyeSpeak, but not at the same
time. Once a student has finished their session, they
need to log off to enable another student to use the
program. When a student logs off, EyeSpeak keeps the
student’s session on file and all data is safeguarded.
When the student logs in at a later date, they will
find all the information stored and be able to resume
their practice where they left it. EyeSpeak creates
a new file for each student, therefore it is possible
for several students to work on the same computer without
any interference with other students.
Can teachers
change the settings?
Yes! Teachers can adjust the current software settings
to suit their specific teaching requirements. For instance,
it is possible to change the difficulty level for the
pronunciation of each phoneme, thus making it more challenging
to students who already master most of the sounds or
more encouraging/achievable to students who just start
learning English. Teachers can also adapt their lesson
plan to suit individual students who are now able to
focus their pronunciation practice on the phonemes they
have problems with. Teachers are also able to determine
the number of times students have to repeat a phoneme
before they can move on to the next phoneme/difficulty
level. Teachers can change the settings to suit individual
students’ needs, therefore creating more opportunities
for personalized teaching.
Does the
software store students’ progress?
Yes! Students can use EyeSpeak and follow up on the
progress of their previous sessions at any time. EyeSpeak
keeps the lesson plans as used by students, which enables
them to keep track of their pronunciation exercises.
EyeSpeak’s progress tracking record is automatically
updated when students practice with the software. Unless
students voluntarily alter the settings, EyeSpeak will
save them. When students share the same computer, they
will each access their own settings and not be able
to interfere with somebody else’s.
Can I use
EyeSpeak if I do not know the phonetic alphabet?
Yes! EyeSpeak is a user-friendly software that will
help all students practice their English pronunciation,
whether they are proficient in linguistics or not. The
phonetic alphabet is an added feature that helps students
memorize the English sounds, but EyeSpeak is versatile
and provides other ways of remembering pronunciation
(e.g. graph, words, pictures of the mouth). Each student
learns differently and EyeSpeak recognizes this important
factor. Both visual and auditory learners are able to
practice and improve their pronunciation skills rapidly
thanks to the variety of feedback options available
through EyeSpeak.
Can I choose
a specific lesson plan for each of my students?
Yes! You can adapt the lesson plan to suit each of your
students, so that they practice problematic phonemes
and do not waste time practicing phonemes they already
master. This lesson plan is available to students during
class time but also when they practice on their own.
Apart from choosing phonemes that students need to practice,
teachers can also adjust their difficulty level so that
even excellent students can learn and improve their
skills. EyeSpeak is a versatile software that focuses
on students’ needs without compromising the quality
of a teacher’s lesson.
Does
EyeSpeak teach only pronunciation?
No! Though EyeSpeak’s primary focus is on pronunciation,
the latter version teaches students a lot more. Students
have access to a dictionary that spells the English
word they have to pronounce, shows them its meaning
with a picture and also translates the word into their
own language. Students learn vocabulary while practicing
their pronunciation. Students also develop their listening
skills when doing practice tests, as EyeSpeak randomly
selects and pronounces words that have to be identified
correctly by students. Whatever exercises they do, students
increase their knowledge and understanding of the English
language to become proficient.
Can I monitor
students individually?
Yes! EyeSpeak allows teachers to check the work of individual
students by giving teachers full access to the students’
progress tracking record and their study pattern. Teachers
become flexible and are able to adapt their teaching
to each of their students, thus focusing on individual
problem areas. Teaching with EyeSpeak is like having
a personal tutor.
How do students
benefit from using EyeSpeak?
Students greatly benefit from using EyeSpeak as it helps
them improve their pronunciation rapidly and effectively.
Students choose the accent they want to learn and need
to practice several times a week to notice an improvement.
Listening skills also improve as students interact with
EyeSpeak. In addition to developing a student’s
abilities, EyeSpeak also teaches useful vocabulary that
students can use in every day situations. Students become
more confident when practicing with EyeSpeak as they
can do it in the privacy of their own home. Testimonials
will tell more about EyeSpeak.
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How many
times a week should I use EyeSpeak?
EyeSpeak should be used on a regular basis to help students
improve their pronunciation rapidly. However, some students
may find that they need to practice for longer periods
of time than others. Students need to be focused when
using EyeSpeak and spend quality time practicing. The
number and length of practice sessions depend on each
student’s speaking and listening abilities, but
as a rough guide students need to spend on average 15
to 20 minutes per session, 3 to 5 times per week to
notice a difference. EyeSpeak can easily be included
in someone’s daily routine.
What kinds
of accents can I learn using EyeSpeak?
Students have a choice between the American and British
accents. The native speaker who matches the student’s
accent most closely thus becomes the student’s
tutor. More accents will be available.
How do I
know that I improve my pronunciation?
Your progress tracking record will show you that your
pronunciation has improved. Another way of checking
that your pronunciation has improved is to have a conversation
with native speakers: you will rapidly notice that they
strain less and less when listening to you. You will
also realize that you do not need to ask them to repeat
as much as before. These are sure signs that you have
improved your language skills. Testimonials are from
teachers and students, and both agree that EyeSpeak
definitely works!
I
am computer illiterate, how can I use EyeSpeak efficiently?
EyeSpeak is a user-friendly software designed for people
who want to focus on learning pronunciation, therefore
you do not need to be an I.T expert. Just follow the
instructions when installing EyeSpeak on your computer.
The user guide included in the package and the Online
user manual are very useful. Once EyeSpeak is installed,
you have to answer a couple of questions (gender? country
of origin?) and record a specific sound. This will set
up your personal account. You are now ready to start
your practice sessions. EyeSpeak will recommend a specific
lesson plan to help you improve your pronunciation rapidly
and efficiently, but you are free to adapt it. You can
choose between different exercises (practice test, pronunciation,
vocabulary etc).
If something
goes wrong, where can I get support and advice?
If you have a problem when installing or practicing
with EyeSpeak, go to Online user manual to get some
useful tips. This web page is dedicated to making your
life easier. If you cannot find the answer to your question
or the solution to your problem, you will need to contact
your local distributor. You can also Contact us.
Can I change
the settings and practice what I want?
Yes! Students can adjust the current software settings
to suit their specific needs. EyeSpeak automatically
tells you what phonemes you should practice, but you
are able to change the lesson plan, as well as other
settings (difficulty level for pronouncing each phoneme,
number of times each of them has to be practiced etc).
EyeSpeak helps you plan your practice session, but you
can choose to do a different exercise or review a previous
one. You have a lot of flexibility and autonomy when
practicing at home with your own copy of EyeSpeak
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