Wednesday
Feb102010

WMExperts Review: LangLearner language applications

DateWednesday, February 10, 2010 at 06:03AM

We just wanted to share a great review of our LangLearner mobile language applications by WMExperts.  Enjoy!


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Friday, Feb 5, 2010 by George Ponder

Microsoft's Marketplace offers a wide assortment of applications ranging from games to utilities to educational applications. Langlearner has developed three applications to help with language and spelling skills.

LangLearner Lite is an instructional application where you can learn languages through short phrases. LangLearner Translator is, as the title implies, a translation application and. LangLearner Spelling Bee is a learning aid for spelling.

We've used these applications over the past few days and found them to be interesting, useful applications.  As the developer's slogan suggests, these applications do help break the language barrier.

Ease on past the break to find out more about each of these LangLearner applications.

LangLearner Lite


LangLearner Lite Main Screen


LangLearner Lite is a language learning application that teaches you short phrases through a series of situational lesson plans. The lesson plans range from dining to colors to romance.

LangLearner Lite Language Options


LangLearner Lite also uses photos/graphics to help associate the phrase with the situation. Nine languages are covered in the lessons and you can reverse the lessons (e.g. English to Italian or Italian to English).

LangLearner Lite Lesson Screen


The lesson plan is simple. A short phrase appears in your native language as well as translated into the desired language. You have the associated photo and a audio button to hear the pronunciation of either version.

If you are looking for a certain phrase, you can tap the "Word List" bar and see the entire list of phrases in the lesson plan. LangLearner Lite isn't a Rosetta Stone application but you will pick up on the languages by learning the phrases.

Navigating around the application was straight forward and the application was very stable.

LangLearner Translator


LangLearner Translator


No secret with this application. LangLearner Translator is a simple translation application that will translate text that you enter into another language. As with LangLearner Lite, Translator supports nine languages. There is also a button to have the translation pronounced.

The only drawback to Translator is that the application requires a data connection to make the translation. This might be restrictive if your Windows phone doesn't have data capability while traveling to a foreign country.

Otherwise, Translator can be a very useful tool if you find yourself needing to translate phrases and have an audible translation available.

LangLearner Spelling Bee


LangLearner Spelling Bee


Spelling Bee puts spelling lessons on to your Windows phone that range from learning the letters of the alphabet to grades 8+. The application is simple in that you choose your spelling level and various words are pronounced. You have the option of spelling the words out loud or typing them into a blank field. When you are ready to confirm the spelling, you tap the "Hidden, tap to show". If you choose the typing option, you have the option to "check" your spelling. If it's wrong, you can try again.

LangLearner Spelling Bee LessonLangLearner Spelling Bee Show Word


Currently, the Spelling Bee requires a data connection to load the spelling lessons. It is my understanding that LangLearner is looking into the possibility of a version of Spelling Bee that does not require a data connection.

Spelling Bee is a simple, straight forward means to learn spelling. Spelling Bee is limited to English spelling and is an interactive, entertaining way to develop and improve your spelling skills.

Overall Impressions


LangLearner has put together a nice selection of language oriented applications. LangLearner Lite may not have you speaking another language fluently but it will help you learn key phrases. LangLearner Translator is a good option if you need more flexibility in your translations. Just type in what you need translated and you're in business.

Spelling Bee is more of an elementary application. My eight year old daughter found it challenging and it's a great way to pass the time while stuck in traffic, sitting in a waiting room or any other situation where you need to keep the kids occupied productively.

The only drawback I can see with Translator and Spelling Bee is that these applications require a data connection. This may create restrictions if traveling abroad and a data connection isn't available.

I found all three to be quality applications with Translator having the most appeal. All three can be found in the Windows Marketplace. LangLearner Lite is a free application while Translator and Spelling Bee will run you $4.99.

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Reference: http://www.wmexperts.com/review-langlearner?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+wmexperts+(WMExperts)&utm_content=Twitter
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Tuesday
Feb092010

Bill Gates Promotes E-Learning and LangLearner helps fill the gaps in language learning via web-based platform 

DateTuesday, February 9, 2010 at 08:16AM
Bill Gates sees the value of online learning and LangLearner delivers this.  Here is a great post from Education Week.

By Kathleen Kennedy Manzo on January 27, 2010
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Bill Gates is a fan of online learning, so much so that it is among the nine innovations to receive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over the next several years, according to the second annual letter by the Microsoft chairman outlining his vision for tackling the most pressing challenges facing the United States and the world.


While much of the letter addresses poverty and health issues, two of the 12 pages are devoted to education topics: online learning and teacher effectiveness.

On Page 9 of the letter, Gates describes his own fascination with online education, particularly the open source physics courses offered by MIT.
So far technology has hardly changed formal education at all. But a lot of people, including me, think this is the next place where the Internet will surprise people in how it can improve things—especially in combination with face-to-face learning.

The Gates Foundation will partner with teachers, software developers, and the online community to improve the availability of high-quality online courses, for both formal and informal settings. One area that needs improvement, according to the letter, is in the organization of online content, which I delved into in this piece in Technology Counts 2009. Gates suggests that setting some standards for categorizing and rating resources would help teachers find the best lessons for a particular topic and grade level.
Over time I think a large community of contributors and reviewers will develop and allow the online material to be easy to access and a crucial resource for all types of education. There will need to be a number of pilots to see how to take this resource and blend it into the classroom experience. I plan to spend a lot of time on this to see what would help get it to critical mass.

Take a look at the letter and let me know what you think.

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And, we, at LangLearner, have developed some effective mobile apps and an online platform enabling students and travelers alike learn foreign languages rapidly in a fun and enjoyable way with a number of interactive and creative tools and features.  It’s the only product that allows rapid learning of over 90 language pairs.

http://www.langlearner.com

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Reference: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2010/01/bill_gates_promotes_online_lea.html
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Tuesday
Feb022010

Body Language, Lost in Translation in Lin Heung Hong Kong(蓮香樓)

DateTuesday, February 2, 2010 at 04:43AM
Before getting into the meat and funny part of the story, let's start with food (and touristy info)...

Lin Heung Hong Kong (蓮香樓) Lin Heung Hong Kong (蓮香樓)

Each city is famous for different style of food.  When it comes to Dim sum which by default refers to the Cantonese style unless noted otherwise, Hong Kong probably is ranked the highest in authenticity, quality and variety.  There is one old style Chinese restaurant situated on a fairly narrow street on the quiet side of Hong Kong Island between Central and Sheung Wan.


蓮香樓 Lin Hueng Waiter The elderly waiters/waitresses are one of the attractions of this old style restaurant.

It's called Lin Heung (蓮香樓) and has been around for about 80 years.  It is famous for dim sum and other traditional Chinese dishes.  Its old brand, legacy, traditional setting gives an old world feel.  Because of that, it has attracted both locals and tourists of various nationalities.  It's almost as if you went to a living antique tea museum with fresh dim sum dishes.  Lin Heung is probably one of the few remaining old Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong after many years of renovation and urban redevelopment.  Perhaps, that is why it has received many good reviews and wide coverage in the media and travel publications (carried by most tourists visiting the restaurant).

Now comes to the important part of ordering food - especially the kind you want and like to try or crave for.  Unlike more modern restaurants there are no updated menus, no pictures, no displays, nor order sheets.  Most who work there do not like to speak English or even interact with their customers.   So what happens if you don't know what's inside those hot bamboo steamers?  Most would just ask.  But since the old dim sum lady does not speak English, probably your best bet would be body language.  That's exactly what happened in my observation.

One afternoon a French couple came to the restaurant while I was there.  After they sat down, they asked the old waitress for beer and noodles.  The waitress simply placed their order for a large bowl of noodle and a bottle of beer.  Then, the couple saw an order of freshly steaming dim sum coming out of the kitchen.  The French man rushed to catch the old waitress and asked her about the dish.  She seemed to understand what he asked but couldn't reply in English.  She chuckled and started talking to her colleagues.  After his insistence, she finally paid attention and tried to respond.  But rather doing so in words, she stuck two fingers up above her head and moved them sideways repeatedly.  While it was fun to watch, it was not easy to guess.  After looking at the dish, I had this "Ah-ha!" moment and a lightbulb lit up.  She was trying to say it's 'beef ball" - the fingers were supposed to be the horns!  I don't think the French guy had a clue!   Actually he was becoming annoyed and insulted.

cattle without horns cattle without horns?

Whether it was because French cattle don't have horns, the waitress was making an insulting gesture as a devil, or he just did not get the body language - there was the possibility of a cultural barrier on top of a language barrier.  Here is a lesson learned: it's probably beneficial to learn some basic phrases or words of a new language before traveling abroad or serving foreigners.  Afterall, it's easier to learn the word "beef" than taking an acting class...   @.@



>>> Do you have any funny travel stories and interesting experiences on language communications, travel tips, culture lessons?  Let's share with us and get a chance to travel around the world FREE...



The Culture Smart Challenge is by  brought to you by the language and cultural smarties at LangLearner.  More details to come at LangLearner Contest Page  ( http://www.langlearner.com/contest.html )



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Thursday
Jan142010

New Spelling Bee App on "A-n-d-r-o-i-d" (Android)

DateThursday, January 14, 2010 at 06:08PM



Our newest mobile language learning application is for school kids, ESL (English as a second language) learners, and the burgeoning orthographers! This is the LangLearner Spelling Bee application that speaks a word and then listens to hear if you can spell it correctly. The application utilizes voice recognition technology.


This application now available in the Windows Mobile Marketplace and the Android Market! This is our first application available on Google's mobile application market! And it is a pocketnow.com Marketplace pick!

http://pocketnow.com/software-1/marketplace-pick-langlearner-spelling-bee


The difficulty is set by choosing the the grade level to attempt. There are about 50 words per grade level, and 80 words in the Spelling Bee Winners level. The words are fetched from the LangLearner servers. To include some of your troublesome words, users can give feedback through the application to provide suggestions.

The software is available in in both markets for $4.99.

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Thursday
Dec312009

LangLearner Traduttore (Translator) Takes Silver in Samsung Application Store Developer Challenge 2009!

DateThursday, December 31, 2009 at 05:20AM





LangLearner won Silver place for its submission of the Italian version of the mobile application, LangLearner Translator, to Samsung’s first worldwide Developer Challenge. The Challenge brought together some of the world’s top mobile development talent, all vying to win a chunk of the $330,000 in prize money.


The awarded application, LangLearner Translator, can translate to and from over 10 languages and correctly pronounce the audio in each of the supported languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Greek, and Dutch. It is a tool to easily communicate with others, make new friends, and gracefully handle any situation, which requires knowledge of a foreign language.

The awarded applications will be featured on Samsung’s Italy - Application Store.  Currently, the LangLearner Translator mobile travel application is available at Windows MarketPlace.

Results of Samsung’s Application Store Developer Challenge 2009:  http://www.samsungapps.com/common/eventContestWinnerItaly.as

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