Carnegie Speech Native Accent Web

I. Setting up your account

1. Go to http://nativeaccent.carnegiespeech.com/myClassroom/

2. Click "Create New Account" (highlighted below in yellow)

3. Create your own username and password. Complete the web form with your information. Using the clipboard function on your computer, cut and past the following validation code into this form where indicated Validation Code: CUT AND PASTE THE STUDENT'S ASSIGNED VALIDATION CODE HERE

4. Check your email for registration confirmation link. Click on embedded link near bottom of the page

5. Go to http://nativeaccent.carnegiespeech.com and sign-in with the username and password that you created in Step 3

6. The First time you log in, you will be presented with a list of classes. Identify your CLASS NAME from the list of options and click on the KEY CODE. Your CLASS KEY CODE IS [ PASTE KEY CODE HERE].

7. Enter the CLASS KEY CODE provided by your teacher

8. You are now enrolled into your NativeAccent class.

EquipmentTo use the application, you will need a headset and computer with any browser that supports Adobe FLASH. A USB headset is recommended, however a less expensive analog headset with microphone should be satisfactory if supported on your computer. The headset should be connected before you launch the Carnegie Speech program. Place the microphone slightly below or to the side and about 2 inches from your mouth to avoid distortion from the air being projected from your mouth during speech.

II. Using Carnegie Speech Native Accent - User TrainingCarnegie Speech has developed a tutorial so that you will be successful using their software.

It is HIGHLY recommended that you follow these steps EACH time you sit down for a session using the software. This will ensure your success with the speech recognizer.

1. Click on the link under the heading YOUR COURSES on the main menu

2. Click on the linked Topic Assessment

An Adobe Flash Player Settings box will open. Please click "Allow" and "Remember" to enable the microphone to operate with Flash. Click Close when finished.

3. Use the menu tabs and arrow buttons in the NativeAccent Training Tutorial to learn about lesson navigation and set microphone recording levels.

The Microphone recording tutorial is very important to generating good recordings in the assessment and in the following exercises. Make sure that the levels are in the "green zone". Adjust the microphone level by moving the microphone closer or farther away from your mouth.
If this does not produce acceptable results (the meter registering in the "green zone" when speaking normally), right click anywhere in the Flash window and click on the microphone icon in the Adobe Flash Player Settings (shown in the following illustration), and adjust the levels there.

If your computer microphone still does not operate properly, refer to your computer's operating system "help" documentation under "Adjust Audio Properties".

4. Close the Training Tutorial using the red "X" in the upper right corner of the tutorial window

II. Using Carnegie Speech Native Accent - language assessment and instruction

1. Begin your Assessment by clicking the record button and speak the focus sentence into the microphone. Make sure that the levels are in the "green zone". If needed. adjust the microphone level by moving the microphone closer or farther away from your mouth. Complete the Assessment by recording all 30 sentences. You may re-record any sentence that you feel does not represent your best effort.

2. The system will now present lessons in the "Intelligent Tutor". Begin your Instruction by selecting the Intelligent Tutor from the main TOPIC OULINE 2. Select the first lesson presented by the tutor. THESE LESSONS HAVE BEEN CUSTOMIZED ESPECIALLY FOR YOU, TO HELP YOU TO RAPIDLY INCREASE YOUR SPOKEN ENGLISH SKILLS. Therefore it is recommended that you take the lessons in the order presented.

Each lesson is designed to take about 15 minutes.
If you leave a lesson for a short period, there is no need to log out or submit your results. The system will only track your actual instructional and practice time.
Click the Submit button (Green box shown in the above illustration) at the end of your lesson or session.
Your progress will be bookmarked and you can begin your lesson at the bookmark in your next sessions by going to the Intelligent Tutor, where your list of exercises will be displayed. The bookmark is shown in a larger, and bolder, typeface.

III. Using Carnegie Speech Native Accent - Progress Reports

. Progress Reports

You can evaluate your progress by selecting "Grades" at the main instructional menu. This report shows how your pronuciation of each sound of English has progressed.

In the first example, in the initial Assessment (the blue bar), there was a 24 percent expected probability of correct pronunciation of the "t" as in team based on an analysis of 368 samples of that sound. The CURRENT (the green bar) expected probability of correct pronunciation is 89% based an analysis on 616 samples of that sound (the total recorded to date).

You can review your overall progress by selecting "Activities" at the main instructional menu. The progress report is self explanatory.

Help

If you are experiencing problems with pronunciation, ask your teacher for help.

If you are experiencing technical problems FIRST read the NativeAccent Troubleshooting Guide, then ask you teacher or lab supervisor for help.