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APST – Intelligibility AssessmentAPST – Intelligibility Assessment

Linda J. Ferrier-Reid, Ph.D.

Rita MacAuslan, Ph.D.

Robert MacAuslan, Ph.D.

There is a need for clear There is a need for clear communication in Englishcommunication in English

Because English is the language of business, Because English is the language of business, commerce, education, and healthcarecommerce, education, and healthcare

APST for English intelligibility

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As the global economy continues to expand, cross-cultural communication using the English language is accelerating and intensifying. Knowledge of English – in particular, the ability to speak and be understood – is no longer simply desirable … it is becoming mission-critical in all corners of global commerce.

The NeedThe Need

DefinitionDefinition

Intelligibility is the ability to be understood, in this case by English-speaking listeners in a decontextualized setting.

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The Fundamental Problem:The Fundamental Problem:

Previous technologies for intelligibility analysis either were constrained by labor-intensive processes and subjective assessment, or were based on older technology.

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Solution: APSTSolution: APST

Phonologics eliminates these constraints with a revolutionary technology that has the potential to improve communications across the globe at a commercially attractive cost.

We call it APST.

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Solution: APSTSolution: APST

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Phonologics OverviewPhonologics Overview

Software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm Transforms, expands, and formalizes the speech intelligibility analysis industryAutomating methods which are now predominately manual.Bedford, MA Founded 2011

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Phonologics developed a new approach to pronunciation analysis for commercial businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies. We provide intelligibility scoring that is: Cost-effectiveFastObjectiveAccurateAutomated

What Makes Phonologics DifferentWhat Makes Phonologics Different

A Little PrehistoryA Little Prehistory

APST began at Northeastern University as a manually scored screening test for International Teaching Assistants and Faculty

In this academic setting, approximately 60 – 70 students were screened in one morning

Results were needed the next day

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Partnership with Speech Technology and Partnership with Speech Technology and Applied Research (STAR)Applied Research (STAR)

Began the automation processInitial Funding from an NIH SBIR

grantLater funding from private investorsUses Knowledge-Based Acoustic

AnalysisCalibrated by reference to American

English listenersPhonologics 12

APST APST

Answers the question,

“How intelligible is this speaker to American English listeners?”

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What is APST?What is APST?

The Automated Pronunciation Screening Test (APST):Measures intelligibility based on audio recordings of specific words and sentences spoken into a computer.Provides empirical measures of the elements that make speech understandable.

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Testing ComponentsTesting Components

Phonetics: ability to pronounce the full range of sounds in English

Co-articulation: ability to pronounce combinations of consonants and vowels correctly

Fluency: production of sentences that are generally smooth

Enunciation: production of sentences with the linkage, emphasis and clarity of a native speaker

Prosody: factors that make messages clear to listeners, including fluency and enunciation

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The ProductThe Product

By providing an empirical measurement of intelligibility APST can identify speech weaknesses, leading to successful communication in English

APSTAPST

Does not replace a language coach. Was designed with the help of SLPs

and linguists. Provides feedback to language

instructors. Can determine improvement in

intelligibility. Was designed for placement.

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APST StatusAPST Status

Speech Technology and Applied Research Corp. developed APST with funding from the National Institutes of Health.

In November 2011 field trials began at the Intensive American Language Center at Washington State University, which is now a customer, and at the Nashua NH Adult Learning Center. Educational and commercial trials continue world-wide.

Dos and Donts for the Test-TakerDos and Donts for the Test-Taker

Download and follow the User Instructions. In particular:Find a quiet environment for PC/s. Close the doors and windows. Turn off the TV and mute the phone!Use a headset with an external mike if possible. Test the mike to ensure the computer can “hear” you.Speak loudly, but don’t shout. APST lets you know if you are speaking too quietly.Speak with your usual accent.

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Taking the TestTaking the Test

Fill out the required information.Speak the practice items.Go through all the items, words and

sentences, at a reasonable pace.Watch the progress bar to be sure

you do not chop off the beginnings and ends of your recordings.

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Completing the Test Completing the Test

Fill out the questionnaire at the end and close the Recorder.

The results will be calculated and the Administrator will be able to download them.

The Administrator and instructor can study the results and the explanatory score and subscore interpretations.

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Get Score Information Using the Get Score Information Using the Administrative Console Administrative Console

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See the scores

Download Individual or Download Individual or Combined Score SheetsCombined Score Sheets

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Arrange for a Free TrialArrange for a Free Trial

Contact Rita MacAuslan at ritam@phonologics.com.

Rita will send you an information form to fill out.

Upon receipt of the filled-in form, Rita will provide you with login information.

Go to Phonologics.com and login. Download the Recorder (Windows or Mac

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Remember These FiveThings …Remember These FiveThings …

We can help assess the ability to be understood:1. more quickly (about 7 minutes of recording time) ,

2. more objectively,

3. more accurately,

4. and less expensively.

5. Contact us at:

866-517-9990

info@phonologics.com

www.phonologics.com