Pre-reading questions:
- What are the languages that you know?
- Do you want to learn a foreign language? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
- application /ap-li-KEY-shuhn/
- database /DEY-tuh-beys/
- provide /pruh-VAHYD/
- translate /trans-LEYT/
- quality /KWOL-i-tee/
[noun] a computer program that is designed for a particular purpose
Anyone can download applications on their phone.
[noun] a large amount of information stored in a computer system
They put a password to ensure the security of the database.
[verb] to give someone something that they need
The people provided relief goods for the people.
[verb] to change words into a different language
They used internet to translate all the words in English.
[noun] a characteristic of something
They are selling a good quality food.
VoiceTra, a speech translation application is planning to be used by all government organizations in Japan such as hospitals, police boxes, schools and etc. The purpose of this plan is to help government employees communicate with foreigners. The application can translate 31 languages, including English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. The database of this app can provide million of sentences for Japanese and English translation.
To use the app, people will have to speak on their phone and the app translates the sentence in the language that they want to hear. In terms of quality, VoiceTra translation capability is similar to a person who scores 900 or more on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Anyone can download the application for free. The ministry is asking for a budget of 820 million yen to fund this project.
To use the app, people will have to speak on their phone and the app translates the sentence in the language that they want to hear. In terms of quality, VoiceTra translation capability is similar to a person who scores 900 or more on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Anyone can download the application for free. The ministry is asking for a budget of 820 million yen to fund this project.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the name of the speech translation application?
- Why does the government plan to use this application?
- How many sentences can the database provide between Japanese and English translation?
- Can anyone download the application for free?
- How much budget does the government need to fund the project?
Discussion Questions:
- What are the advantages of using the application? Explain your answer.
- Do you think using the application helps people understand one another? In what way?
- What are the disadvantages of this application?
- What are the perks of learning a new language?
- Do you agree that technology makes life easier? Please explain your answer.