Questions & Answers
1. Why should I buy the Pronunciation Guide?
600 words, 200 sentences and 900 video files.
Many people speak English somewhat proficiently, yet cannot be understood. Even a small amount of English is good, but you MUST be understood by the listener. The Pronunciation Guide will help you.
41 lessons, set up to work from sound, to word, to sentence. All are approached to maximize learning... addressing initial, medial and final word positions. Clear, well-produced, native Canadian speech. 2 female speakers, of 2 different generations (young and middle aged). Important to see and hear the difference.
2. Will this only help my speaking?
Being able to listen to and produce phonemes (individual sounds) helps in listening. When you can distinguish the sounds, you can hear them better.
Pronunciation Guide glossary is available to show meanings, and is also linked to an on-line dictionary for translations. Thus Pronunciation Guide is also a vocabulary building tool.
3. Why is the video not scalable? (ie. the video & window do not fit perfectly to my screen)
For it to be scalable, there would need to be a different software "engine" used, which would not allow for the other features. The user would also need to (likely) download patches or extra software, and we wanted to make this as complete a package, for as many users (with many different kinds of computers), as possible.
The video window has some features though... you can double-click on the window and it will show "full screen." Also, right-clicking within the window (ie. during the Repeat After Me lessons) and you can choose to have it run in "slow motion." This will allow you to see the sounds being formed.
4. Why is the payment system not automatic?
It can be automatic, if all users were to use the PayPal payment system. However, in Japan (other Asian countries?) this is not a standard format for paying. To allow other methods of payment, what is offered (PayPal, credit card, bank transfer) are the best methods we could come up with. In most cases, anyone who purchases and requests an activation code is provided one within a few hours, and almost definitely within a half day or so.
5. Why is it so cheap?
We are a very small operation, with simple tools and helpful colleagues. There is no large-scale corporation with brick & mortar overhead, studio, editors, marketing, and accounting departments, etc... We are the wave of the future -- small, professional individuals with desktop publishing and video editing tools (PC), and a distribution and marketing system (the internet) which allows easy and cost-effective (direct) access to our market (you!). Here is what we do have... a writer/instructor with a Masters' in TESOL, a professional audio/video studio at a local college, an Eng-Jpn translator with a wide range of translation/interpretation credentials, and a successful software writer who provides materials for a large percentage of first year university students in the US (computer courses). We are in the business of teaching, and, of course, feeding our own families! We can't do this for free. But we do not have shareholders looking for large profits, nor anyone scheming to "get rich quick." We want to provide a good, useful tool for you, while making a fair, and modest profit for ourselves. The other point is that the cheaper it is for students, the more likely they will suggest it to friends and classmates, and the less likely they are to try to copy and steal the software. It is a very fair (very cheap!) price for what you are getting, and as a father of 3, I am very aware that money needs to be wisely spent.
6. Why is there no animation? I want to see inside the mouth.
Having animation would be nice, but would mean a LOT more work and a large increase in cost. However, there are some good pronunciation animation on the web, and there is a link to a very good site. If you want to see inside, click the link in Web Links (called Phonetics) and go to American English. You will need to click around to find the sound that you want (you will see the phonetic symbols).
7. Why not use that site for free, and not buy the Pronunciation Guide?
Go ahead and try. It is difficult to work through the site and to know what sounds, words and sentences to work on. You can get the one sound (and see inside the mouth... which is great), but you will not have any idea how to expand upon that. The Pronunciation Guide is set up to study the 3 positions (initial, medial and final) for each sound, plus a good variety of words, and examples of how to use those words in sentences. Nothing I have seen can give you the same direct instruction and variety. The program is portable and light (fits on a flash drive) and the price is great!
8. How do I know which lessons I have done?
Lessons are sequenced (from vowels, to consonants, to some difficult blends), yet may be done in any order, and as many times, as you like. However, the Pronunciation Guide will open up to the last lesson that you did (automatically), when you start a new session.
9. How can I get more great software at such a small price?
Write to Dave at the address below to give some suggestions (for future projects), and tell your friends, family, co-workers and classmates!! If enough people are interested in this (and our families get enough to eat!), then there will be more programs in the future to help you to study English. Check back at decc.ca to see about future projects.
Enjoy, and remember... the world is waiting to hear your voice!
Dave
