Education and demonstration – Language – Foreign
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-09
2001-12-04
Ricci, John A. (Department: 3712)
Education and demonstration
Language
Foreign
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325630
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to learning a foreign language and method, and, more particularly, to a foreign language learning device and method.
It has been customary, for language learning purposes, to use special notebooks for learning words/vocabulary, in which, for instance, the left column contains the foreign words to be learned, while the right column contains the corresponding words or translations in one's mother tongue.
Although, in modern times, other mediums, such as cassettes, CDs or even audio-visual media are increasingly used for languages learning purposes, the traditional way of learning as described above is still of major importance.
An aspect of the present invention is to create an improved foreign language learning device which is available to everybody, and which allows and facilitates learning a foreign language in everyday life.
Visualizations are very common in people's talks and thoughts. They enrich and facilitate many thought-processes. The visual sense, however, is only one area of the brain which can facilitate and support, for example, mnemonic processes involved in language learning. However, nowadays, the brain area “responsible” for visual perception is mostly working at full capacity, due to overstimulation. At the same time, a great variety of things and characteristics, e.g. the fragrance of a flower, the softness of fur, etc. can usually be much better perceived with other senses. Also mnemonic processes can be assisted very nicely by other areas of the brain which are less frequently used. The fact, that in addition to visual perception, other forms of perception, such as, for example, smell, sound, taste, warmth, pressure, etc. give additional impetus and complexity to our thought-processes is also confirmed by modern psychology.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Based on this background, according to an aspect of the invention, a foreign language learning device in accordance with the invention provides a learning device for learning foreign languages in everyday life. In accordance with the invention, it is intended for individual terms (adjectives, nouns, verbs, etc. incl. whole groups of words or sentences) to be written on individual labels, which, corresponding to their meaning, are attached to the corresponding object. If, for example, the German word “Stuhl” for the English word “chair” is to be learned, the label with the word “Stuhl” printed on it can be removed and attached to a chair in one's home. In this case, the chair is consciously touched and felt for its characteristics (surface, temperature, weight, movement, etc.).
Every time the user sees the label/object, he will be motivated to recall the corresponding word.
The learning device in accordance with the invention allows the creation of a learning environment which, to a certain extent, can be compared to the learning conditions prevailing in the country where the corresponding language is spoken.
Other terms can be attached to other object, corresponding to the term.
For certain topics, also posters (pictures) can be provided on which the terms can be attached to the individual items represented on the poster.
Once somebody finds out that he/she remembers the word, the label can be removed again.
The foreign language learning device in accordance with the invention comprises preferably a vocabulary book or glossary in a similar form, which contains individual labels with the individual foreign language terms printed on them. The labels are either available individually, or can be removed from a common label sheet.
It is also possible that several individual labels are printed on a joint sheet to be cut out or torn out by means of prepared perforations.
It is however, preferred intention to provide the individual labels as self-adhesive labels which may be attached to a label carrier, e.g. oil paper. It is particularly advantageous to provide these labels with a holding area which does not stick to the label carrier paper, as the holding area, for example, is not provided with any sticking material or adhesive film at all, or because the adhesive film is covered up additionally.
In a particularly favoured form, the paper or sheets with the mother-tongue terms written or printed on them, are bound in the form of a notebook or book, while, between two paper sections containing the mother-tongue terms, the label carrier paper of reduced width or section is inserted, on which the removable, self-adhesive labels containing the foreign language terms to be learned are arranged.
After learning individual terms, the labels removed from the corresponding objects can be returned again to the notebook-like foreign language learning device. In order to allocate the labels to the corresponding locations, every label can contain the pertaining explanations or, for instance, the corresponding word in German or a number, etc., which serves as orientation as to what location in the notebook or book-like device the label can be returned. In this book-like device, however, notes can also be made as to where the corresponding label is located.
The labels do not necessarily have to be self-adhesive. Also non-adhesive labels can be used, which, for example, may have to be cut out or removed along a perforation or cutting line. They can be attached to the object by means of other suitable means, such as, for example, drawing pins, rubber bands, string, etc.
According to the invention, it is intended to use also additional information or label holders, to which the labels—when they are provided with an adhesive film—can be affixed or on which the labels, for instance, can also be attached in a different way, for instance by putting them into a slot fixture. These label or information holders, in turn, can be provided with an adhesive film on the back or with other suitable means, in order to attach to and detach these label holders from certain objects by means of string, wire, drawing pins, magnets, etc.
According to another aspect a label has an adhesive zone, a holding zone, and a reinforcement of the holding zone.
According to another aspect a kit includes a plurality of labels and an instruction manual for teaching a language.
According to another aspect the invention includes computer program software and method for preparing labels to facilitate learning a language.
According to another aspect the invention relates to a computer system for developing labels for learning or teaching a language.
According to another aspect the invention relates to a method of learning a language including applying to objects labels containing words related to such objects.
According to another aspect the invention relates to labels and use thereof for learning or teaching a language.
Another aspect relates to use of multiple senses to facilitate learning or teaching vocabulary concepts in a language.
Another aspect relates to coordinating multiple activities in association with the learning of a language to make the process more active than only passive memorization.
Another aspect relates to a method of using labels for learning words and concepts in a language.
The invention comprises the features described herein, including the description, the annexed drawings, and, if appended, the claims, which set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
Although the invention is shown and described with respect to illustrative embodiments, it is evident that equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding hereof. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications.
It will be appreciated that although several embodiments are illustrated and described, features shown in one embodiment may be used in one or more of the other embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3640008 (1972-02-01), Crail
patent: 4043858 (1977-08-01), Dantowitz
patent: 4187628 (1980
Fernstrom K
Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
Ricci John A.
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