Auralog Tell me More - 5.0 User's Manual

Last update: 29/08/01

USER’S MANUAL

Last update: 29/08/01

Contents

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................................................5

PRACTICAL INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................5

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.............................................................................................................................................5

DISPLAY SETTING........................................................................................................................................................6

Checking the display setting compatible with your computer................................................................................6

Selecting a display setting......................................................................................................................................6

CHECKING THE SOUND................................................................................................................................................6

Connecting the headset to the sound card inputs...................................................................................................6

Testing your sound card.........................................................................................................................................7

INSTALLATION.........................................................................................................................................................7

INSTALLING TELL ME MORE®....................................................................................................................................7

Installing TeLL me More® on a network................................................................................................................7

Installing TeLL me More® on a single workstation................................................................................................7

RUNNING TELL ME MORE®........................................................................................................................................9

UNINSTALLING TELL ME MORE®...............................................................................................................................9

DISCOVERING TELL ME MORE®...............................................................................................................................10

Accessing the Presentation...................................................................................................................................10

Browsing the Presentation...................................................................................................................................10

Accessing the Demonstration...............................................................................................................................10

Browsing the Demonstration................................................................................................................................10

ACCESSING HELP......................................................................................................................................................10

BROWSING...............................................................................................................................................................10

USER ID....................................................................................................................................................................10

Within TeLL me More®........................................................................................................................................10

Within TeLL me More® PRO, TeLL me More® e-learning or TeLL me More® e-system.....................................11

GUIDED MODE............................................................................................................................... ...........................11

Learning paths .....................................................................................................................................................11

Main menu: Progress Chart.................................................................................................................................12

Toolbar.................................................................................................................................................................14

Diary ....................................................................................................................................................................15

FREE-TO-ROAM MODE..............................................................................................................................................17

Main Menu: the Film Set......................................................................................................................................17

Toolbar.................................................................................................................................................................18

HELP.........................................................................................................................................................................19

Help and What's this? ..........................................................................................................................................19

Hints.....................................................................................................................................................................20

CHOICE OF LESSON..............................................................................................................................................20

GUIDED MODE............................................................................................................................... ...........................20

FREE-TO-ROAM MODE..............................................................................................................................................21

DIALOGUE................................................................................................................................................................ 21

START-UP.................................................................................................................................................................. 21

DIALOGUE: EXPLORE - HOW IT WORKS ....................................................................................................................22

DIALOGUE: EXPRESSION - HOW IT WORKS ...............................................................................................................22

Some tips for answering questions.......................................................................................................................22

DIALOGUE: COMPREHENSION - HOW IT WORKS........................................................................................................23

IMPROVING YOUR PRONUNCIATION ...........................................................................................................................23

AVAILABLE FUNCTIONS ............................................................................................................................................23

FUNCTIONS PARTICULAR TO FREE-TO-ROAM MODE.................................................................................................24

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Choice of Question...............................................................................................................................................24

Helping you understand.......................................................................................................................................25

OPTIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................25

Dialogue: Comprehension...................................................................................................................................25

Speech recognition ...............................................................................................................................................25

PRONUNCIATION...................................................................................................................................................25

START-UP.................................................................................................................................................................. 25

PRONUNCIATION INDEX............................................................................................................................................26

HOW THE PRONUNCIATION EXERCISES WORK...........................................................................................................27

Listen....................................................................................................................................................................27

Speak....................................................................................................................................................................27

Wait......................................................................................................................................................................27

WAVEFORMS AND PITCH CURVES .............................................................................................................................28

DETECTING PRONUNCIATION ERRORS.......................................................................................................................28

SCORING...................................................................................................................................................................28

COMPARATIVE LISTENING.........................................................................................................................................29

PRONUNCIATION OF A PARTICULAR WORD................................................................................................................29

PHONEME PRONUNCIATION EXERCISES .....................................................................................................................29

GENERAL FUNCTIONS ...............................................................................................................................................31

OPTIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................32

Difficulty level......................................................................................................................................................32

Pronunciation: display......................................................................................................................................... 32

VIDEO .......................................................................................................................... ..............................................32

START-UP.................................................................................................................................................................. 32

HOW THE VIDEOS WORK ...........................................................................................................................................33

VIDEO MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS.......................................................................................................................33

OPTIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................34

Video....................................................................................................................................................................34

Audio....................................................................................................................................................................34

Timer....................................................................................................................................................................34

EXERCISES...............................................................................................................................................................34

START-UP.................................................................................................................................................................. 34

PICTURE/WORD ASSOCIATION..................................................................................................................................35

WORD ASSOCIATION ................................................................................................................................................35

THE RIGHT WORD ....................................................................................................................................................36

WORD ORDER...........................................................................................................................................................36

FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS................................................................................................................................................36

GRAMMAR PRACTICE ...............................................................................................................................................36

MYSTERY PHRASE ....................................................................................................................................................37

CROSSWORD PUZZLE................................................................................................................................................37

SENTENCE PRACTICE................................................................................................................................................37

DICTATION................................................................................................................................................................38

WRITTEN EXPRESSION..............................................................................................................................................38

GENERAL FUNCTIONS ...............................................................................................................................................39

OPTIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................39

Timer....................................................................................................................................................................39

Picture/Word Association....................................................................................................................................39

Dictation ..............................................................................................................................................................39

Crossword Puzzle.................................................................................................................................................40

Audio....................................................................................................................................................................40

Speech recognition ...............................................................................................................................................40

REFERENCE WORKS.............................................................................................................................................40

START-UP.................................................................................................................................................................. 40

GRAMMAR................................................................................................................................................................40

CONJUGATION ..........................................................................................................................................................41

GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................................................41

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DICTIONARY .............................................................................................................................................................41

ONLINE SERVICES.................................................................................................................................................41

START-UP.................................................................................................................................................................. 41

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE ......................................................................................................................................42

TUTORING.................................................................................................................................................................42

Reading messages ................................................................................................................................................43

Writing and replying to your Tutor......................................................................................................................44

Reading attachments............................................................................................................................................44

Removing messages.............................................................................................................................................. 44

OTHER ONLINE SERVICES.........................................................................................................................................44

Discussion group: The Auralog Club...................................................................................................................44

Language Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 44

OPTIONS....................................................................................................................................................................46

LESSON REPORT .................................................................................................................. ..................................46

ACCESSING THE LESSON REPORT PANEL...................................................................................................................46

GUIDED MODE............................................................................................................................... ...........................46

FREE-TO-ROAM MODE..............................................................................................................................................47

OPTIONS.................................................................................................................................................................... 47

ACCESSING THE OPTIONS ..........................................................................................................................................47

SELECTING AN OPTION..............................................................................................................................................48

OPTIONS: DIALOGU E AND EXERCISES.......................................................................................................................48

Timer....................................................................................................................................................................48

Picture/Word Association ....................................................................................................................................48

Dictation...............................................................................................................................................................48

Dialogue: Comprehension...................................................................................................................................48

Crossword Puzzle.................................................................................................................................................48

OPTIONS: AUDIO, VIDEO AND SPEECH RECOGNITION...............................................................................................49

Audio....................................................................................................................................................................49

Video ....................................................................................................................................................................49

Speech recognition...............................................................................................................................................49

Pronunciation: display......................................................................................................................................... 49

OPTIONS: GUIDED MODE, ONLINE SERVICES AND HELP..........................................................................................49

Guided Mode........................................................................................................................................................49

Online Services.....................................................................................................................................................50

Help......................................................................................................................................................................50

RECOMMENDATIONS AND SOLUTIONS.........................................................................................................50

RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................................................50

Installing the headset ........................................................................................................................................... 50

Difficulty level......................................................................................................................................................51

Speaking...............................................................................................................................................................51

Imitating the model ..............................................................................................................................................51

SOLUTIONS ...............................................................................................................................................................51

Installation/Start-up.............................................................................................................................................51

Sound and recording problems ............................................................................................................................52

Accessing Online Services....................................................................................................................................53

TECHNICAL SUPPORT.......................................................................................................................................... 54

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Introduction

Welcome to the world of The TeLL me More® Collection! The TeLL me More

to constantly stri ving for innovation i n l anguage learning. Thanks to its combination of technical and educational expertise, you will learn to write and speak your chosen

language efficie ntly. This manual will accompany you throughout your voyage of discovery of TeLL me More

answer as many of our users' frequently asked questions as possible. If, however, even after consultation, you should still have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our technical

support department: it's there at your service. Contact details can be found on the back cover of this manual. Have fun exploring!

The TeLL me More Más, Vertel me Meer and Parle-moi Encore. These products are all available in several different levels.

Collection, which has already attracted millions of users all over the world, owes its success

. It has been desi gned to

Collection includes the products TeLL me More®, Erzähl mir Mehr, Dimmi di Più, Dime

Practical information

System requirements

TeLL me More® has the following system requirements:

Minimal

Configuration

PC or compatible

WindowsTM 95/98 95/98/NT4/2000

RAM 16 MB 32 MB

Space available on hard disk

CD-ROM drive

Pentium

90 MB 110 MB

4 X 12 X

Pentiumâ 166 MHz and

Recommended Configuration

Internet access

Graphics card 640x480 with 256

colours

Sound card 16-bit WindowsTM

compatible sound card

1,024 x 768 with 65,536 color (16-bit)

16-bit Windows compatible sound card

Last update: 29/08/01

Display setting

Checking the display setting compatible with your computer

• Check your computer display setting before beginning installation.

• For optimal display TeLL me More

requires the following display settings:

1 MB graphics card resolution

640x480

1 MB graphics card resolution

800x600

2 MB graphics card resolution

1,024 x 768

For satisfactory use, the minimum display settings are:

512 KB graphics card

1 MB graphi cs card

resolution 640x480

resolution 800x600

resolution 1,024 x 768

with 65,536 colours (16-bit colours)

with 256 colours

Selecting a display setting

• First check that your computer screen is compatible with your chosen resolution.

• To do this, with all applications closed, click on the desktop background with the right mouse button.

• Select Properties in the context-sensitive menu.

• Click on Configuration (or Settings).

• In the Desktop area (or Screen area), choose the resolution (640 x 480, 800 x 600 or 1,024 x 768) and in the

Colour Box (or Colours), select the number of colours required: 256 colours or 65,536 colours (16-bit colours).

Checking the sound

Connecting the headset to the sound card inputs

These inputs are usually at the back of your computer.

The microphone corresponds to the marked Mic or sound card input marked Spk/Line out or

Note.

You may listen to the sound output via the loudspeakers or your headphones. You must therefore connect the ² plug of the headset or the plug of the loudspeakers to the sound card input.

. The headphones correspond to the ² plug of the headset. This plug must be connected to the

plug of the headset. This plug must be connected to the sound card input

Last update: 29/08/01

Testing your sound card

Use the WindowsTM Sound recorder:

• Go to the Start \ Programs \ Accessories \ Multimedia (or Entertainment) \ Sound Recorder menu.

• Start recording by clicking on the red button.

• Stop recording by clicking on the black rectangle.

• Listen to your recording by clicking on the arrow.

If your sound card is correctly installed, your recording will be clear. If not, contact your supplier for more information.

Installation

Installing TeLL me More®

Installing TeLL me More® on a network

Refer to the manual entitled Installation and AdminTools user’s manual.

Installing TeLL me More® on a single workstation

• Put the TeLL me More® installation CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. After a few seconds, installation will

start automatically. If it does not start automatically, refer to the I can't install TeLL me More®! section.

• The installation program will ask you to choose an interface language. This is the language that will be used to

give you all the necessary instructions.

Last update: 29/08/01

• The program will then ask you to choose the type of installation required. Your choice will determine the

graphics mode use d by TeLL me More

Þ If you select Minimum installation, TeLL me More

will choose the resolution best adapted to your current

display. This installation takes up the least space on your hard drive.

Example: if your current resolution is 1,024 x 768 with 65,536 colours, TeLL me More resolution of 1,024 x 768 with 65,536 colours. If your current resolution is 640 x 480 with 256 colours, TeLL

me More

Þ If you choose the Standard installation, TeLL me More

your monitor, as well as the minimum resolution (640x480, 256 colours), and will copy the Presentation of the software onto your hard disk. This installation will allow TeLL me More

will install a resolution of 640 x 480 with 256 colours.

will install the resolution which is best suited to

to function with an optimal display

will install a

in the display configuration which is present during installation, and to function with a minimal display if the configuratio n is changed. Moreover, the Presentation will always be accessible. This installation is suggested by default.

Þ If you choose Maximum installation, TeLL me More

will install all the resolutions compatible with your

display system. You should choose this type of installation if you often change display configuration.

Þ The Personalised installation option will allow you to personally choose the resolution you want to use with

TeLL me More

. It also allows you to copy the Presentation onto your hard disk.

Last update: 29/08/01

• The program will give details, according to the type of installation chosen, of the space required on your hard

disk for the installation of TeLL me More

• The installation program will ask you to choose the disk onto which you wish to copy the files necessary for

running TeLL me More

. These files must be copied into a directory:

, as well as the space actually available on your hard disk.

C:\TELL ME MORE NV is sugge sted by default. Click on the Next button and enter the licence number marked on the back of the box of the installation CD-ROM. Once you have entered all the necessary data, click once more on Next. A summary of all the options you have

chosen will be displayed. You can now click on Install to start the installation of TeLL me More

When the installation is finished, remove the installation CD-ROM from your CD-ROM drive and insert the CDROM containing the lessons.

Running TeLL me More®

The installation creates a group of programs on your hard disk called The TeLL me More® Collection, in which you will find the following icons: Help, Demonstration, Uninstall, Presentation and TeLL me More

To run TeLL me More

Start menu, choose Programs, and then The TeLL me More

Finally click on the TeLL me More

, go to the

Collection.

icon in the menu shown.

Uninstalling TeLL me More®

To uninstall TeLL me More® from your hard disk, click on the Uninstall icon in the group of programs called The TeLL me More

Collection.

Last update: 29/08/01

Discovering TeLL me More®

Accessing the Presentation

• To discover TeLL me More®, we advise you to watch the Presentation. If you have not already copied this

onto your hard disk during installation, insert the installation CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive, go to the Start menu, select Programs, The TeLL me More

Collection, and the Presentation icon.

• You can also access the Presentation from the Film Set (the main menu in free-to-roam mode ), by clicking on

the TeLL me More

The Presentation explains the different activities and functions offered by The TeLL me More Lasting approximately ten minutes, it explains the different learning paths which you can follow in the course of your study. This Presentation acts as a guide to help you browse the software.

logo. For further information, refer to the Main menu: Progress Chart section.

Collection.

Browsing the Presentation

If you want to move quickly around the Presentation or go back to an explanation, click on the arrows on the bottom right corner of the screen (to continue) or on the bottom left (to go back).

The Presentation runs continuously and you may quit at any time by clicking on the arrow in the upper right corner of your screen.

Accessing the Demonstration

If you would prefer a briefer presentation, we advise you to watch the Demonstration. Insert the installation CD- ROM into your CD-ROM drive, go to the Start menu, select Programs, then The TeLL me More then click on the Demonstration icon.

The Demonstration explains the different activities on offer in The TeLL me More manner. It is shorter than the Presentation.

Collection in a concise

Collection,

Browsing the Demonstration

The Demonstration runs continuously and you can quit at any time by hitting the escape (Esc) button on the top left of your keyboard.

Accessing Help

For any information about TeLL me More®, select the group of programs called The TeLL me More® Collection and click on the Help icon.

Browsing

User ID

Within TeLL me More®

• The first time you use TeLL me More®, the program will ask you to login. Enter your name (or a pseudonym),

then choose a function mode.

• TeLL me More

recommend this mode.

• Click on Start to begin l earning with TeLL me More

Note.

Your name must contain between two and twenty charac t ers.

• TeLL me More

a large part of the Online services. If you wish to register, click on Yes and fill out the registration form.

will suggest guided mode by default. If you are starting to learn with TeLL me More®, we

will then ask you if you want to register. Registration is necessary if you wish to benefit from

Last update: 29/08/01

For further information on this, refer to the section entitled Registration procedure .

Within TeLL me More® PRO, TeLL me More® e-learning or TeLL me More® e-system

• If you are working on a network, TeLL me More® will ask you to log in using this box.

• Enter your name (or a pseudonym) and the password that was given to you by the administrator. Double-check

the screen. You must then select a function mode.

• If you aren't using TeLL me Mor e

you to select a learning path. If you wish to change your name, click on the Cha nge Student icon to t he right of your name. The previous box will be displayed.

on a network, you will move directly on to the following box, which allows

• Next, choose a function mode. Te LL me More® will suggest guided mode by default. If you are ne w to TeLL

me More

When you select guided mode, a drop-down list will appear showing all the learning paths that you have access to. Select one.

• Next, click o n Start to begin learning with TeLL me More

Warning!

Your name must be between two and twenty characters long .

, we advise you not to modify this choice.

Guided Mode

Learning paths

The guided mode allows you to follow a learning path tailored for you by TeLL me More®. This learning path can be defined according to the parameters which you specify, in particular in the Diary. Three learning paths are possible.

Ø Complete learning path

If you don't change any of the parameters chosen by default either in the Diary or in the Options, TeLL me More® will propose the complete path. The lessons and activities are classified in ascending order of difficulty and this is the order in which you will discover them; you will also carry out the activities one after another. Following this strategy creates a linear progression in the Progress Chart, the main menu of the guided mode.

Last update: 29/08/01

Ø Scheduled learning path

If you use the Diary to sche dule your study, TeLL me More® will develop a learning path adapted to your needs and timetable.

For further information, refer to the Diary section.

Ø Personalised learning path

If you are working on the Internet, you can benefit from TeLL me More®’s Online services. Whether on a network (for Tell me More

PRO and Tell Me More® e-system), or via an Internet connection, you can have your own

personal Tutor who will create a personalised learning path adapted to your objectives. This path will be sent to you and appear on the login screen, in the drop-down menu entitled Choose a path. For more information on this feature, refer to the section entitled Tutoring.

Main menu: Progress Chart

The Progress Chart includes all the lessons and their accompanying revision lessons, as well as the twenty-five activities on offer. It will allow you to both follow a learning path and monitor your progress.

Each square in the Progress Chart links to an activity and a lesson. When you place the mouse cursor on a square, the learning priorities indicator will light up to demonstrate which particular skills the chosen activity develops.

TeLL me More

(listening comprehension), Reading (written comprehension), Writing (written expression) and Speaking (spoken expression). For example, the Dialogue: Comprehension activity allows you to work on both written and listening comprehension (Reading and Listening), and spoken expression (Speaking). The indicators light up accordingly.

Whatever the learning path chosen, the activity suggested by TeLL me More Click on this square to proceed to the activity. You can also decide to ignore the flashing square and go to the lesson and activity of your choice. In this case click on the corresponding square in the Progress Chart.

Below you will find a summary chart of all the activities offered in TeLL me More

offers you the opportunity to perfect the four skills fundamental to language learning: Listening

is shown by a flashing yellow square.

and the skills they develop.

Last update: 29/08/01

Listening Reading Writing Speaking Dialogue: Explore

ü ü

Picture/Word Association

Word Association The Right Word

Word Order

Fill-in-the-Blanks

Glossary

Mystery Phrase

Crossword Puzzle: Translate

ü ü

ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü

Sentence Pronunciation

Dialogue: Expression

Word Pronunciation

Picture/Word Association with speech recognition

Phonetics Exercise

The Right Word with speech recognition

Grammar

ü ü

Sentence Practice

ü ü

Word Order with speech recognition

ü ü ü ü

ü ü

Crossword Puzzle: Listen and Write

Last update: 29/08/01

Conjugation

Grammar Practice

ü ü

Dictation

Written Expression

ü ü

Dialogue: Comprehension

Video

ü ü

When you have completed or chosen an activity, the corresponding square is highlighted by a yellow square: this permits you to track your navigation through TeLL me More

For further information about tracking your progress, refer to the Lesson Report section. Underneath the Progress Chart, you will find the icons to access other functions:

Click on the Options icon to program the activities from the Progress Chart.

For further details about this function, refer to the Options section.

Click on the Diary icon to program the Progress Chart.

For further details about this function, refer to the Diary section.

Click on the Help icon for information about the guided mode.

For further details about this function, refer to the Help and What's this? sections.

Click on the Quit TeLL me More

Finally, if you wish to access the free-to-roam mode, click on the screen outside the Progress Chart.

icon to exit.

Toolbar

While you carry out an activity, the toolbar, along the bottom of your screen, allows you to access the next or previous activity in your learning path, or to access other functions. For example, you can come back to the Progress Chart to change activity by clicking on the Progress Chart icon, or write to your Tutor should you have any difficulties with an exercise by clicking on the Online Services icon.

Click on the Previous icon to access the previous screen.

Click on the Progress Chart icon to come back to the Progress Chart.

Last update: 29/08/01

Click on the Next activity icon to proceed to the next activity.

This starts fla s hi ng once you have passed the Percentage of activities. For further information about the Percentage of activities, refer to the Options: Guided Mode, Online Services and Help section.

Click on the Translation icon to display the translation of the text.

Click on the Options icon to modify the Progress Chart.

For further information about this function, refer to the Options: Guided Mode, Online Services and Help section.

Click on the Online Services icon to access the Online Services.

For further information about this function, refer to the Online Services section.

Click on the Help icon for help with the activity in progress.

Diary

The Diary allows you to plan your study according to your schedule and your aims. Click on the Diary icon in the bottom left corner of the Progress Chart to access the Diary.

If the Diary button at the top of the screen is ticked, the Diary is active, i.e. you can modify the settings.

Note.

The Diary is activated by default; click on the Diary button if you wish to deactivate it.

Last update: 29/08/01

Ø Modifying the Diary

The first box concerns the time you have available each day, the second the study period, and the third the skills you wish to work on. The last box summarises the information given by showing you the total amount of hours in your study period.

Move the cursors between 0 and 5 to show the number of hours you have availa ble per day to work on TeLL me

. This can be anything between half an hour and five hours per day. Y ou could also do no work at all during the week and concentrate all your efforts on the weekend!

TeLL me More

takes into account all this information and proposes suitable activities. These will allow you to

work on your specified learning priorities.

Determine your study period: click on the arrows on the right to see the calendar; select a month using the arrows at the top and then click on the appropriate date.

Choose your learning priorities by clicking on one or several of the icons in the Skill selector.

Having programmed the Diary, validate or cancel your choices:

Click on Validate to confirm your modifications and go back to the Progress Chart.

Last update: 29/08/01

Click on the Cancel icon to cancel your modifications; the Diary’s original settings will be retained and you will go back to the Progress Chart.

Click on the Help icon for help with the Diary

Validating your set t ings sends you back to the Progress Chart and lets you see the entire learning path tailored for you by TeLL me More don't apply to your learning priorities and which cannot, therefore, be activated. By placing the mouse arrow on a square, the name of the activity and the date by which it must be completed, as well as the percentage of exercises completed and the percentage of correct exercises, will appear.

. The blue squares represent the activities to be completed and the shaded ones those which

The Progress indicator at the bottom of the screen will give you an idea of your work pace. The first level shows your progress along the learning path as of the date of consultation, and the second the progress that you should have made.

Note.

For the same learning priorities but a different time period, the number of squares activated in the Progress Chart will not vary. It is the number of exercises to be carried out within each activity that varies according to the study period specified in the Diary.

Free-to-Roam Mode

The free-to-roam mode allows you to discover TeLL me More® at your own pace. By making your own way through the program you can shape your own lea rning path.

Main Menu: the Film Set

The Film Set is the main menu of the free-to-roam mode. Its film-set layout contains all the icons to take you to the different parts of the software.

+ 37 hidden pages

Auralog Tell me More - 5.0 User's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual