Institute of Formal and Applied Linguistics
Charles University, Czech Republic
Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
Automated Speech Scoring in Czech
The aim of the project is to design and implement software applications for the automatic evaluation of spoken texts in Czech created by students of Czech as a foreign language who are preparing for certified language exams. It is difficult for foreign students to create a comprehensive, fluent and understandable speech in Czech suitable for a given communication situation. It is a more demanding communication skill than, e.g., creating individual sentences. At the same time, it is a skill that is essential for understanding basic communication situations and existence in everyday life.
The creation of a coherent speech in Czech should be supported especially in the teaching process in language schools or courses. At the same time, it is necessary to have suitable tools for speech evaluation – continuous speaking is, e.g., part of certified exams in Czech for foreigners who apply for permanent residence or citizenship in the Czech Republic. Due to the current workload of the institutions that provide these exams, automated speech scoring would be a useful tool. In addition to educational institutions and testing centers, it can also be used by individual students during their preparation for certified exams. The developed computer tools (intended for specific certified exams) will also support the objectivity of evaluation in education and will be accessible to the professional public free of charge.
The results of the project will include linguistically processed databases containing spoken texts of foreign students focused on the levels of language examinations needed to obtain permanent residence and grant citizenship in the Czech Republic.
An important goal of the project is to contribute to the improvement of mutual understanding between people, to support the national language and the culture of spoken communication.