Teanga

Teanga: Language Lego: a picture is a thousand words Teanga is a picture and voiced based language learning tool. Students place pictures into "grammar space" to create phrases that can be voiced, recorded and compared with a teacher’s voice. All major grammar patterns are covered. The student learns to speak more confidently as she learns the patterns and vocabulary by osmosis. All languages and dialects can be learned and spoken using a common set of images, shapes and symbols. This self-directed learning is text free and so lends itself best to those who are text averse (dyslexics) and those learning a language with an alien script (Chinese/Arabic). Teanga is launching an English language version in November and Gaeilge in December. We anticipate having a portfolio of a thousand languages and dialects within a few years. Teanga is based on a global set of pictures (words),shapes (parts of speech), colours (word gender) and symbols (grammar markers). By placing these elements together (mashing) the user creates a unique phrase with a unique audio output. This is then recorded within the browser and compared with that of a native speaker. The user can then re-record her voice to conform with the pattern established within the lessons honing pronunciation and intonation. Teanga focuses solely on the spoken word aims to support and accelerate pre-intermediate students (A1-B2). We believe that the spoken word is the key to gaining confidence in a new language. Eventually we will create audio phrase books, games and a communication tool. By adapting the interface we can also reach younger students and even senior citizens who wish to revise languages learned in their youth. Due to the unique output of every "mash" Teanga is ideally placed as a testing engine for the spoken word. Too get involved in this exciting project contact me Shane Walsh: info@teanga.me