LexiTabuk

Introduction

LexiTabuk started as a project for my Master’s degree in IT. It is an user-friendly app designed to facilitate language learning and communication. Specifically tailored for language students enrolled in the University of Tabuk’s first-year English program, the app bridges the gap between classroom learning and practical usage. LexiTabuk offers a unique blend of interactive features to enhance pronunciation, comprehension, and vocabulary skills. It’s an ideal tool for students in who wish to practice and improve their skills outside the classroom in a low-stakes learning environment.

Features

• Voice Recording & Playback: Record your voice and play it back to improve pronunciation and fluency.
• Text-to-Speech Functionality: Converts typed text into spoken words, aiding in pronunciation and listening skills.
• Interactive Phrase Lists: Access a variety of phrases categorized by topics, enhancing vocabulary and phrase usage.
• Class-Specific Content: Tailor your learning experience by selecting specific classes to access relevant phrases and topics.
• Firebase Analytics Integration: Provides insights into learning patterns and app usage to optimize the learning experience.
• Intuitive User Interface: Easy-to-navigate design, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Usage

Open the App

To begin using the app, locate the app on your phone’s screen. Tap on it and accept the permissions allowing the app to access your microphone. (The request to accept the permissions should only appear on the first launch.)

Select Your Class

You will be prompted to choose your class every time that you open the app, but if you want to change your class without restarting the app, you can do so using the Select Class button.

Select the Topic

Choose a topic after choosing your class by tapping on the Select Topic button. This will reveal a list of topics specifically for that class, so make sure that you choose your correct class.

Select the Phrase

After you select your topic, you can choose the word or phrase to hear it spoken through your phone’s speakers. You may select the words as many times as you would like. You can also scroll to see additional words and phrases in the topic.

How to Use the App in the Best Way

For the most optimal results in your English language learning, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Listen to the word or phrase by tapping on it. (If you are searching for the word or phrase from your Student Companion, you might need to scroll in order to find it.)
2. Press Record and record yourself speaking by using your phone’s microphone.
3. Press Stop Recording and then press Listen in order to hear your pronunciation. Was it similar to what you heard from your phone?
4. Check your pronunciation with the word you were practicing with by tapping on the word again.
5. Now try using that word in a sentence.
6. When you feel like you’ve mastered the word or phrase, continue to the next one.

For more information, visit the Github repository.

Acknowledgements

As the journey of developing the LexiTabuk app to its culmination, it becomes imperative to pause and reflect on the invaluable support and contributions that have made this endeavor not just possible, but also a success. This section is dedicated to extending my heartfelt thanks to those remarkable individuals and organizations whose guidance, expertise, and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping this project.

First and foremost, deepest gratitude should be extended to the:

• English Language Institute of the University of Tabuk for their help and guidance in helping to steer this project
• Instructors at New Mexico State University who helped initiate this project through the ET 583 course in the Masters for IT program
• Former students of the first-year program who provided valuable insight into the development of this project
• Current and future students of the first-year program who use this app in their English language studies