Carnegie Speech

To use the application, you will need:
a. A headset and computer with Microsoft 2000/XP/Vista/Win7 or Apple (PowerPC or Intel processor) with OSX operating systems.
b. A USB headset is recommended, however a less expensive analog headset with microphone should be satisfactory if supported on the participant’s computer.
Note: The headset should be connected before the user launches the program. The user should place the microphone about 2 inches from his/her mouth and slightly below to avoid distortion from the air being projected during speech.

• a. Always perform a brief sound level check before recording
  • i. After logging in and selecting lesson click “Show Tutorial” and open the Microphone recording tutorial. Make sure that the levels are in the "green zone". Adjust the microphone level using the slider bar or by moving the microphone closer to or farther away from your mouth.
  • ii. While still in the Tutorial, Click on the Recording Tab to confirm that your computer can hear you. Click on the Recognition Tab and read the longer sentence. If necessary, right click anywhere in the Flash (Lesson) window and click on the microphone icon in the Adobe Flash Player Settings and adjust the levels there
• b. Keep your hands from the microphone boom
• c. Briefly pause before beginning recording

Occasionally upon start up, you may see a window that says your microphone is muted (it should be “connected”). This may occur because your microphone was plugged in after start up. In this case, refresh the page in the browser.
Another cure for “muted microphone” is to redo the microphone settings found in the Show Tutorial tab. Be sure that you have clicked “allow” and “remember” in the settings (and described below in the Secrets of Success!)

Note: Your headset should be connected before you launch the NativeAccent application.
a. After you receive a validation code via email (or from your teacher or trainer), go to the website link indicated in your welcome email. https://nativeaccentasia.carnegiespeech.com (Asia Server) or https://nativeaccent.carnegiespeech.com (US Server) Your validation code will be for one of the servers above, probably the server that is geographically closest to you.
b. Click on the “Create New Account” link on the right side of the login page.
c. Fill out the New Account form and click the “Create my new account” link.
d. Wait for a confirmation email and follow the instructions in the email. (If you do not receive an email, check your spam filter. Hotmail and Yahoo occasionally place the confirmation email in the Bulk or Junk folder.)
e. Click on the embedded link in the confirmation email.
f. Return to your NativeAccent login page and sign-in with the username and password that you created.
g. You will be presented with a number of classes in which you can enroll. Click on one of the classes.
h. When asked if you wish to enroll, click “Yes.”
i. If you have received a CLASS KEY CODE, you will insert it when asked.
(Note: Cookies must be enabled for this program to work correctly. Cookies are a feature of your Web browser. If the program does not load normally, check the help menu in your browser to ensure that session cookies are being accepted.)

Yes. NativeAccent is compatible with Apple Macintosh OSX and Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

a. Browsers: NativeAccent requires Microsoft Internet Explorer v6 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 2 or higher, Google Chrome, and/or Apple Safari
b. Plug-ins: NativeAccent requires Macromedia Flash Player 9 or higher
c. Internet Connection: NativeAccent requires a minimum bandwidth of 30kb/ second
d. Sound: NativeAccent requires a headset with flexible boom microphone (important)

a. Login to NativeAccent.
b. Click on Topic 1, “Assessment”.
c. In your first visit to the assessment, a tutorial should pop up. If it does not or if you close it and wish to see it later, click “Show Tutorial.
d. On the bottom right side of the Tutorial are navigation buttons. Use these to navigate through the topics: Microphone, Recording, and Recognition.
e. Click the Forward button.
f. An Adobe Flash Player Settings box will open.
g. Click "Allow" and "Remember" to enable the microphone to operate with Flash. Click Close when finished.
h. Use the menu tabs located in the middle of the Tutorial to navigate within a topic and the navigation buttons on the lower right side to navigate among topics. Learn about lesson navigation, and set the microphone recording levels.
Note: 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 using the slider bar or by moving the microphone closer to or farther away from your mouth.
If the microphone still does not operate properly, refer to the computer’s operating system “help” documentation under “Adjust Audio Properties”.

NativeAccent has been tested most thoroughly in Google Chrome, but we have many active users who use Microsoft Internet Explorer v6 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 2 and Apple Safari.

Please send email to support@carnegiespeech.com. Include your name, email, login user name and contact information.

If you seem to be stuck in a lesson, there are 3 steps for resolution:
a. Listen to the model speaker and your recording. You should also read the suggestions for how to pronounce the sound. There is an element of duration as well as pronunciation that effects grading. You may be saying the word too quickly or too slowly.
b. Check your microphone settings.
c. If you do not get the exercise correct in about 5-7 tries, please use the Fast Forward button and move to the next exercise. There is a large amount of curriculum in the program, and you will acquire that skill from other exercises.

Each lesson is approximately 15 minutes in duration, although you can finish sooner. Time remaining is noted in the lower left of the lesson window. If you are practicing 30 minutes a day, you should complete at least two lessons. Try and finish a lesson before closing NativeAccent.

Users who consistently work with NativeAccent show the best improvement and progress. To maximize your performance level, use NativeAccent 30 to 45 minutes per day until you reach your desired proficiency level. Thereafter, continue with your program for a minimum of an hour per week to maintain your proficiency.

a. Log into NativeAccent at any time with your valid username and password.
b. To pick up where you left off in the Intelligent Tutor, click Topic 2, “Intelligent Tutor.” The last lesson you visited will be highlighted in large type.
c. Click on that lesson to continue where you left off.

You can exit NativeAccent at any time. If you leave before a lesson is complete, you will see a “Lesson is Not Complete” Window. Click Submit if you wish to exit. You will be returned to where you left off when you log back into NativeAccent.

NativeAccent requires Macromedia Flash Player 9 or higher.

If you are using NativeAccent through a corporate training program or through an educational institution, you may not receive an email directly from Carnegie Speech. Please check with your instructor for your confirmation information.

If you lose your confirmation email, there is a link on the NativeAccent homepage to request your password and user ID.

a. Log into NativeAccent with your valid username and password
b. Under My courses, click your listed course c. Click Change password under the Administration section d. Enter your existing password. e. Enter a new password and confirm it. f. Click the Change password button.

Yes. To establish a baseline and determine what skills need the most improvement, you should take the assessment. This helps the Intelligent Tutor determine your learning path through NativeAccent so that your time is spent where it is needed the most.

Yes, NativeAccent has successfully helped English language learners around the world.

The recording quality may not be adequate for analysis leading to NativeAccent not recognizing what you said. The recording quality may be poor due to:
a. Using the built-in microphone in a laptop instead of a headset microphone
b. Using a headset without noise reduction and a flexible boom.
c. Faulty/noisy microphone or sound card on the computer
d. Excessive background noise or chatter
e. Recording volume set too low or too high (please see microphone tutorial).
f. Microphone placed too close to the mouth (please see microphone tutorial)

Carnegie Speech recommends a USB headset with the flexible boom and noise reduction.