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This software would make it possible to easily learn languages through immersion (just like in Rosetta Stone, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_stone_software). This method allows very fast learning without any kind of translations: The user learns the language by associating words to pictures, just like small children learn. This method is absolutely amazing and easy, even children could use it, but software like it costs a lot. There is an online demo available at http://www.rosettastone.com/personal/form/flash-demo-form, this way you can get a basic idea of how it works.
Although the learning process starts with simple vocabulary questions, it quickly goes beyond that. Example: It also lets you learn the language using whole sentences and through recombination of these. Simple example: You see a running man, it says "Der Mann rennt", next to it, you see a running woman, it says "Die Frau rennt." Then you see 2 pictures, one with a running boy and one with a running girl, and the sentence on top says: "Der Junge rennt" You are then supposed to find out which picture is meant in the sentence.
There would be a picture database used for all languages. Questions would be saved in simple text files (maybe as XML) including (1) the layout of the current question, (2) the ID for the pictures and sound files used and (3) the string. An exercise would then simply be a list of questions. If a user didn't perform well on some questions, these could then be repeated until he/she gets it. There could be lessons, topics (like greeting, traveling, small talk, etc.) and levels (easy/beginner, medium, difficult/advanced).
Then, users could edit languages or create new ones (which would be great because we would have a free interface for learning the less known languages, like Romansh in Switzerland, or even dialects). So to create Romansh for example, which is similar to Italian, the user would import Italian, translate the questions and create the new sound files. Of course, adding a feature like "dual" (plural form of 2 things, used in semitic languages like arabic, hebrew etc.), pictures of (for example) 2 people would need to be in the database or could be added by the user if necessary.
A language could then be installed through kgethotnewstuff or from a local file (gzipped directory containing text and sound files). There should be an option where to install the pictures and new languages, as this could become quite big.
As you can see, the big work isn't the interface, it's rather adding new languages. I'm sure though that native speakers would be happy to help advertise their language.

P.S.: I made a mockup, but I couldn't find out how to upload it. Which is why I'm including a screenshot of Rosetta Stone: [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ae/Rosettastonev3.jpg[/img]

Scientific background:
There are two modes of thinking, according to Slovic et al. (2004) and Kahneman (2003). The analytical system relies on probabilities, logical reasoning, evidence and learned rules. It is slow, effortful deliberate and with conscious control. This is what most language learning tools and courses use, like Kwordquiz or Parley or most books. If you are very good, the use of the language becomes intuitive over time, but that's a lot of work. The second thinking mode is the experiental system: It relies on images, metaphors, narratives, experience and affect. This is how you learn your mother tongue or how you think after many many years of using another learned language. It is fast, effortless, automatic, intuitive and affective. This is how the Rosetta Stone software works and basically the goal of this new application. It teaches through images and makes you experience a language. It's much easier and faster to learn a language this way, because it doesn't depend on rules (for grammar for example).

http://userbase.kde.org/Applications/Education
http://edu.kde.org/applications/language

are any of these what you're looking for? kwordquiz seems very similar to what you describe.

Not exactly. Although it is similar, it's not the same thing. kwordquiz is a pure vocabulary trainer. What I'm suggesting is an application that (1) doesn't rely on the translation of any other language (like learning that car means Auto in German) but rather connecting words and even sentences to pictures and (2) it goes beyond simple vocabulary training: It also lets you learn the language using whole sentences and through recombination of these. Simple example: You see a running man, it says "Der Mann rennt", next to it, you see a running woman, it says "Die Frau rennt." Then you see 2 pictures, one with a running boy and one with a running girl, and the sentence on top says: "Der Junge rennt" You are then supposed to find out which picture is meant in the sentence. On top of that, a strong oral element is included, so the program reads the words / sentences to you and you are supposed to repeat them (a speech recognition, maybe not in the first version, could then determine if your pronunciation was correct). So kwordquiz is different in that it helps with the traditional language learning method where you learn based on translation, not immersion.

You can do what you suggest with Parley. Put some irrelevant character to the field in the second language (it seems the program does not accept empty fields) and assign to it a picture. Assign the file with the sound to the field in the original language. Set the program to "written practice". During the practice, use the "Continue" and "Count as right" buttons instead of writing in the answer. That should be what you want.

(note: I am using Parley on Windows, version 0.9.3. My boyfriend is using some newer version on Linux and we have not been able to set it up so that he would get the "Continue" and "Count as right" buttons - the program always evaluates the answer automatically. I do not know if that is intended or a bug.)

I actually go halfway through: I use Parley to practice full sentences, so that I learn grammar intuitively in context, but I use the usual bilingual approach (mainly because I am too lazy to search for all the pictures). You can look at my practice file http://kde-files.org/content/show.php/F ... ent=133948 (however, I erased all the sound files before I uploaded the file to the internet, because of copyright issues). On a more advanced level, I plan to use a monolingual approach, with both questions and answers in the language that I am learning.

You might also be interested in the Callan method, http://www.callan.co.uk/en/about-the-method/ . The speed so typical for the Callan method can also be mimicked in Parley, with the help of the time limits for an answer. Parley is really universal!

Yeah I agree, none of those applications are any good for actually learning a new language, they're only suitable for learning vocabulary.

An application is needed that teaches languages using conversations and full sentences.

I had submitted a feature request for something similar to what you suggested.

https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=257391

Since then as I have been using Parley, I have come to realise that the purpose of Parley is to learn vocabulary to be used in conjunction with language lessons not as a substitute or to learn grammar.

I think a new program may have to be created rather than modifying Parley?

@alsaf: You're probably right about Parley not being right. I haven't tested it yet (I've been busy with exams). The question is then who'd be willing to write a new application...

keba

Parley could be amended to include grammar functionality but in my opinion it would add bloat to the application and the question is who is going to go trawl through the code to do the necessary changes?

As to who would be willing to write a new application? I am currently writing a simple script in Perl for my own personal use that does grammar practise. It involves having a file of pronouns in both langauges like I am, She is, He is etc and another with adjectives like cold, hot, tired etc. The script loads these files into array and both pronouns and adjectives are randomly joined together like I am cold, She is wet and outputted at the console. I then have to enter its meaning in the language I am learning.

This Perl script is a short term solution as I intend to write a Grammar application for KDE to complement Parley. I only know a little bit of C++ and haven't done any QT/KDE programming so don't expect anything that is functional any time soon.

Further to my above link, I have submitted the above idea which has just now been validated:

brainstorm.php?mode=idea&i=92898#anchormain

On reflection of my coding experience, it might be better to implement this as part of Parley. I'm open to input from contributors to this idea.