The Integation Of Speech Recognition Technique In Role-Playing Computer Game For Down Syndrome Children Mandrin Learning

Down syndrome individuals are known to have difficulties in speech, both pronunciation of words and making sentences. Such problem is caused by the innate physical impairment of their mouth muscles, as well as the cognitive and intelligence impairment. The myths about bilingualism in down syndrome children causing adverse effects on their language development have been debunked, showing that learning more than one language is possible for them without negative consequences. Many applications and courseware have been designed for down syndrome individuals to enhance their language learning experience. Such applications and courseware usually targeting words recognition and reading therapy, but the syntax and expressive language training are rarely focused. In this research, a 2-Dimensional role-playing game is integrated with state-of-the-art speech recognition technology to provide assistive training on Mandarin syntax and short sentences uttering for down syndrome children. The cognitive capabilities of down syndrome children are considered, and the multimedia application design standards for special education are followed. The research outcome is a game designed according to the Waterfall system development life cycle, while the educational contents are planned with hybrid ASSURE and Gerlach-Ely Instructional design model. The resultant game prototype is tested by five typically developing children age between five years old to six years old, and five adults. The results show that majority of the participant shown positive emotion playing the game, which implies that using RPG for speech practices is feasible. Since only the mildly impaired down syndrome children are able to read and speak, this research is intended to cater for the children under this category. Similar emotion trends are expected from the down syndrome children, which means that they would be motivated to speak with better grammar and remember to use the grammar correctly in their daily lives, as the RPG provides visual context for the sentences they speak

Experience-Related Differences on Attentional Control in Cognitive Ageing: An Investigation of Bilingualism Effects on Flanker Conflicts in TFRs

Bilingualism has been argued to help maintain cognitive functioning in ageing by contributing to the cognitive reserve, the brain’s functional adaptability and resilience against cognitive decline. Within this, the constant engagement with bilingual mechanisms to monitor multiple languages arguably leads to neurocognitive adaptations of attentional systems. Examining bilingual experience as a spectrum, and how these potentially link to variable individual outcomes in cognitive ageing remains understudied. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of individual differences in bilingual experiences on neurocognition in middle-aged adults and seniors. In the study, a non-linguistic flanker task was implemented while measures of both indices of brain activity through EEG and behavioral data were collected. In looking at the relation between differences in bilingual experiences and ageing, the study found that more balanced bilinguals were able to maintain their reliance on alpha activity in ageing, associated to the efficiency of attentional resources to focus on task relevant stimuli. Furthermore, the study found indications of a post stimulus increase in theta power related to cognitive control recruitment. The behavioral findings however, showed the opposite pattern as to what was expected, as subjects with more engagement in bilingual experiences showed a bigger effect of age on flanker task reaction times. Overall, these findings indicate that individual differences in bilingual experiences have a modulatory effect on neurocognition in ageing, potentially leading to better maintained cognitive functioning in cognitive decline

Cultural Competence: Preparing Future Law Enforcement Officers for Practice in Multicultural Society

Evolving processes of globalization, liberalization and integration and their induced changes pose new challenges to learning/teaching of foreign languages and cultural competence development. Law enforcement officers frequently face difficulties perceiving and interpreting actions and behaviour of citizens from other cultures. It may have the negative impact on law enforcement officers’ communication and prevent them from efficient performing of their duties, which include safety of the community. Therefore, while preparing future law enforcement officers it is of crucial importance to develop their cultural competence. The article covers law enforcers’ attitude towards the cultural aspect of professional foreign language learning/teaching, its significance and development possibilities in studies of law enforcement at Mykolas Romeris University, Public Security Academy

The Origin, Notions, Extent And Outcome Of Bilingualism: Implication For Effective Teaching And Learning Of English Language In Nigerian Junior Secondary Schools

The meaning and definition of bilingualism varies tremendously from one situation to the other. The Webster Dictionary (1961) defines bilingualism as having or using two languages especially as spoken with the frequency characteristics of a native speaker; a person using two languages especially habitually and with control like that of a native speaker

Prevalence of specific learning disabilities among Gujarati medium primary school children

Introduction: Learning disability in children is an assorted group of disorders where the individual unpredictably fails to proficiently attain, regain, and use information. Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of specific learning disabilities (SpLDs) such as dyslexia and dysgraphia among the Gujarati medium primary schoolchildren. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in public schools of Gujarati medium among children aged 7–12 years from the second, third, and fourth standard. After obtaining a sociodemographic profile, a multilevel screening approach that begins with the identification of educational backwardness followed by exclusion of vision, hearing impairment, chronic health conditions, and subnormal intelligence was carried out among these children. In the last stage, remaining children were subjected to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences test for SpLDs. Results: The prevalence of SpLDs was 9.6% in sampled children, whereas 7.4%, 8.6%, and 7.1% had dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, respectively. Among children diagnosed with SpLD, 65.7% (n=25/38) of children had a combination of all three types of SpLDs. Conclusions: This study suggests that the prevalence of SpLDs in public schools is the same as private schools and metro center. We have used a multilevel screening approach that can be utilized for early identification of children with SpLD by Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram team without imposing load on specialist services. There is a need for sensitization of school teacher for timely referral, remediation strategies, and policy interventions to improve school performance and to reduce dropouts of schoolchildren

The Effects of Bilingualism and Language Attitudes on Algerian Students’ Academic Proficiency in Medical Sciences

This study examines learners’ Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency and Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills in L2 in order to determine the accuracy level of French oral language proficiency and academic achievement of students in Medical sciences (Tlemcen University). Adopting a few sociolinguistic research tools, the researcher has obtained some results confirming that students often lag behind in academic performance due to the delay in the development of Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) and to the complexity of bilingual language acquisition despite their apparent language fluency which reflects their achievement in Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills interpreted as communicative success. Another important aim in this research was to analyze the effects of students’ attitudes towards French