• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.142-151
• /
• 2001

Purpose: This study was performed to search the relatively specific brain regions related to the semantic processing of Korean and English words on the one hand and the regions common to both on the other. Materials and Methods: Regional cerebral blood flow associated with different semantic tasks was examined using $[^{15}O]H_2O$ positron omission tomography in 13 healthy volunteers. The tasks consisted of semantic tasks for Korean words, semantic tasks for English words and control tasks using simple pictures. The regions specific and common to each language were identified by the relevant subtraction analysis using statistical parametric mapping. Results: Common to the semantic processing of both words, the activation site was observed in the fusiform gyrus, particularly the left side. In addition, activation of the left inferior temporal gyrus was found only in the semantic processing of English words. The regions specific to Korean words were observed in multiple areas, including the right primary auditory cortex; whereas the regions specific to English words were limited to the right posterior visual area. Conclusion: Internal phonological process is engaged in performing the visual semantic task for Korean words of the high proficiency, whereas visual scanning plays an important role in performing the task for English words of the low proficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.249-256
• /
• 2018

This study aims to explore efficient foreign language learning paradigm with a focus on reading fluency and accuracy. From a perspective of language acquisition in the foreign language context, the priority in the L2 learning between accuracy and fluency has been a very important issue. Fluency becomes an important issue due to many researchers' interests in the L1 and L2 classroom. Although both accuracy and fluency are crucial, the paradigm shift from fluency to accuracy is necessary in the foreign language teaching. In this context, as an alternative methodology for L2 learners' fluency, the extensive reading approach is provided. A number of studies have suggested that extensive reading program could lead to improvement of L2 learners' reading rate and is an effective approach to improving general language proficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.15 no.10
• /
• pp.6014-6028
• /
• 2014

This study examined the levels of language anxiety and their causal factors in different English class environments. The findings show that the levels of language anxiety vary significantly in different types of class environments, indicating that both the class environments and individual characteristics are meaningful variables of language anxiety. The findings also show that unlike the levels of language anxiety, its causal factors are almost constant regardless of the class environment with communication apprehension being the most important factor. This study suggests that the English proficiency of students and professors needs to be considered when constructing specific class environments, in addition to promoting class environments favorable to students' active participation in class.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.31-39
• /
• 2023

The evolution of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and the rise of large language models (LLM) like ChatGPT have paved the way for specialized question-answering (QA) systems tailored to specific domains. This study outlines a system harnessing the power of LLM in conjunction with document search algorithms to interpret and address user inquiries using documents from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). Initially, the system refines multiple documents for optimized search and analysis, breaking the content into managable paragraphs suitable for the language model's processing. Each paragraph's content is converted into a vector via an embedding model and archived in a database. Upon receiving a user query, the system matches the extracted vectors from the question with the stored vectors, pinpointing the most pertinent content. The chosen paragraphs, combined with the user's query, are then processed by the language generation model to formulate a response. Tests encompassing a spectrum of questions verified the system's proficiency in discerning question intent, understanding diverse documents, and delivering rapid and precise answers.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.658-666
• /
• 2020

In this paper it is considered that international students who are studying at Korean universities have difficulty in completing their studies while adjusting to Korean university life. The reason for this is that most international students enter university but they are lack of liberal arts knowledge such as Korean language skills and foundation studies necessary for their major studies. However, most universities focus on teaching Korean language as a liberal arts course for international students. Therefore It suggests that the most important and urgent required is for international students to improve their liberal arts knowledge as well as their Korean language skills. Furthermore, this paper argues order for international students who do not have enough liberal arts such as Korean language proficiency or basic science to study successfully, a systematic liberal arts curriculum and teaching methods for international students should be presented and applied in the field. Accordingly, this paper shows an example of the class operated by applying the knowledge-based Korean language teaching method to the cultural class, which is a dedicated subjects for international students, and proved its effectiveness.

• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.421-428
• /
• 2024

Recently, services utilizing large-scale language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 and LLaMA have been released, garnering significant attention. These models can respond fluently to various user queries, but their insufficient training on Korean data raises concerns about the potential to provide inaccurate information regarding Korean culture and language. In this study, we selected eight major publicly available models that have been trained on Korean data and evaluated their understanding of Korean culture using a dataset composed of five domains (Korean language comprehension and cultural aspects). The results showed that the commercial model HyperClovaX exhibited the best performance across all domains. Among the publicly available models, Bookworm demonstrated superior Korean language proficiency. Additionally, the LDCC-SOLAR model excelled in areas related to understanding Korean culture and language.

• Speech Sciences
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.7-27
• /
• 2003

Esophageal Speech uses the esophageal air during phonation. Fluent esophageal speakers frequently intake air in oral communication, but unskilled esophageal speakers are difficult with swallowing lots of air. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of acoustic characteristics of vowel and consonants production according to the speech proficiency level in esophageal speech. 13 normal male speakers and 13 male esophageal speakers (5 unskilled esophageal speakers, 8 skilled esophageal speakers) with age ranging from 50 to 70 years old. The stimuli were sustained /a/ vowel and 36 meaningless two syllable words. Used vowel is /a/ and consonants were 18 : /k, n, t, m, p, s, c, $C^{h},\;k^{h},\;t^{h},\;p^{h}$, h, I, k', t', p', s', c'/. Fundermental frequency (Fx), Jitter, shimmer, HNR, MPT were measured with by electroglottography using Lx speech studio (Laryngograph Ltd, London, UK). 36 meaningless words produced by esophageal speakers were presented to 3 speech-language pathologists who phonetically transcribed their responses. Fx, Jitter, HNR parameters is significant different between skilled esophageal speakers and unskilled esophageal speakers (P<.05). Considering manner of articulation, ANOVA showed that differences in two esophageal speech groups on speech proficiency were significant; Glide had the highest number of confusion with the other phoneme class, affricates are the most intelligible in the unskilled esophageal speech group, whereas in the skilled esophageal speech group fricatives resulted highest number of confusions, nasals are the most intelligible. In the place of articulation, glottal /h/ is the highest confusion consonant in both groups. Bilabials are the most intelligible in the skilled esophageal speech, velars are the most intelligible in the unskilled esophageal speech. In the structure of syllable, 'CV+V' is more confusion in the skilled esophageal group, unskilled esophageal speech group has similar confusion in both structures. In unskilled esophageal speech, significantly different Fx, Jitter, HNR acoustic parameters of vowel and the highest confusions of Liquid, Nasals consonants could be attributed to unstable, improper contact of neoglottis as vibratory source and insufficiency in the phonatory air supply, and higher motoric demand of remaining articulation due to morphological characteristics of vocal tract after laryngectomy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.29 no.7
• /
• pp.930-938
• /
• 2023

Maritime English is a specialized language system designed for ship operations, maritime safety, and external and internal communication onboard. According to the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), it is imperative that navigational officers engaged in international voyages have a thorough understanding of Maritime English including the use of Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP). This study measured students' proficiency in Maritime English using a learning and testing platform that includes voice recognition, translation, and word entry tasks to evaluate the resulting improvement in Maritime English exam scores. Furthermore, the study aimed to investigate the level of platform use needed for cadets to qualify as junior navigators. The experiment began by examining the correlation between students' overall English skills and their proficiency in SMCP through an initial test, followed by the evaluation of improvements in their scores and changes in exam duration during the mid-term and final exams. The initial test revealed a significant dif erence in Maritime English test scores among groups based on individual factors, such as TOEIC scores and self-assessment of English ability, and both the mid-term and final tests confirmed substantial score improvements for the group using the platform. This study confirmed the efficacy of a learning platform that could be extensively applied in maritime education and potentially expanded beyond the scope of Maritime English education in the future.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.37
• /
• pp.107-142
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the teaching English factors on student's communicative competence and motivation by using animation at the College. To achieve this purpose, this study presented an effective integrative teaching model to develop students communicative competence. The study created animation based teaching English model by using the animation of Frozen and applied it to lectures. Using animation in the classroom was a creative English teaching technique involving authentic activities like English dram, English guide contest, and various communicative activities A case study on the use of the animation in English classes at was examined and the language teaching syllabus were provided. In order to investigate the motivation and proficiency of learners, the writer chose 79 students who took the lecture. The study discovered the students' motivation and proficiency in English improved significantly. The results of experiment are as follows: First, using animation in the English class was found to have meaningful influence student's intrinsic motivation to learn English. Second, using animation in the English class was found to be effective for developing student's English proficiency. Third, appropriate materials should be selected and applied it to the real classroom activities. In conclusion, one of disadvantages of learning is less communication and the authentic interaction in a real life, so that the integrative teaching methodology which is combined English content and English animation content is also the effective method to improve student's intrinsic motivations in the age of global village.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.243-263
• /
• 2018

This research investigated whether inter-word spaces, the spaces between words, can affect the efficiency of Korean-speaking CSL(Chinese as a second language) learners in Chinese reading of Korean-speaking's ability to read Chinese. Through eye movement tracking experiments, CSL learners of different proficiency levels(beginning, intermediate, and advanced) and native Chinese readers were asked to read Chinese sentences with and without inter-word spaces. The tests analysed the participants' fixation counts and the time spent in reading each sentences and also between each words. In terms of the fixation counts and time spent between sentences, the results show that there were no significant difference in participants' fixation counts from reading sentences with and without inter-word spaces. The results also prove that reading sentences with inter-word spaces significantly shortened the reading time for both CSL learners and native Chinese readers. Even for the participants' fixation counts and time duration between each words, participants spent significantly less fixation counts and reading time while reading words with inter-word spaces. The results were more prominent and positive in tests conducted with CSL learners of lower proficiency. This research shows that inter-word spaces in Chinese texts can enhance the efficiency of chinese learners' reading ability.