Abstract:
Interactive grammar teaching methods and apparatus are presented. Grammar lessons, grammar sentences, grammar exercises, and grammar tests are stored in respective repositories. Based on queries, grammar lessons are produced, and grammar exercises and tests are generated. A feedback generator receives completed grammar exercises and tests, tabulates expected answer and received answer pairs for each question. Grammar lessons may be recalled during an exercise. Test results may further be sorted by grammar lesson. Grammar lessons or lesson specific grammar exercises or tests are produced in respect of questions answered incorrectly or in respect of lessons in respect of which the level of proficiency demonstrated in a received completed grammar test is found below a desired level of proficiency. A combination of all grammar lessons and a list of grammar lessons produced, and a list of received completed grammar exercises and tests are compiled into a grammar manual and workbook.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to methods and apparatus for teaching grammar and in particular to interactive computing-assisted methods and apparatus for teaching grammar. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the field of language arts education, the teaching of grammar has been absent in the last few decades. A significant proportion of North American school boards decided sometime ago to completely forgo the teachings of the rigors of English grammar as such rigorous training was found, by some studies at the time, to limit the creativity of students. That thinking was regarded as sound then and a large proportion of school boards followed suit. 
         [0003]    That decision led to current day realities which include: modern poetry, highly trained adults relying heavily on conversational context to interact verbally and in writing, and standardized testing which does not show correlation between candidate&#39;s knowledge retention and knowledge application due to lack of clarity in taught expression. 
         [0004]    Recently standardized testing bodies have made a decision to impose grammatical correctness in assessing candidate competency. This decision led to some school boards reinstating grammar teaching. Unfortunately, studies have found that the level of grammar knowledge of teaching staff, including highly trained individuals, varied substantially, while sufficient English grammar knowledge was found lacking overall. 
         [0005]    Currently, while a significant yet comparatively small, number of teaching staff has sufficient grammar knowledge to teach, school boards are unable to meet even self-imposed desirable expectations in raising student grammar knowledge to acceptable levels. Recent known efforts have only concentrated on making grammar teaching palatable and fun. 
         [0006]    There is a pressing need to mitigate the general grammar knowledge deficit at large. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interactive system for teaching grammar, the system comprising: a grammar lesson repository configured to retrievably store a plurality of grammar lessons, each grammar lesson having a list of prerequisite lessons associated therewith, the plurality of prerequisite list entries defining a lesson hierarchy; a sentence repository configured to retrievably store a plurality of sentences, each sentence having a list of grammar lesson associations, each lesson association specifying a question and an expected answer; one of: an exercise generator configured to produce a grammar exercise according to grammar exercise parameters, and a test generator configured to produce a grammar test according to grammar test parameters; and a feedback generator configured to receive at least one of a completed grammar test and a completed grammar exercise, and provide feedback thereon. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of administering a grammar test, the method comprising: receiving a completed grammar test including at least one tuple specifying an association between an answer received and a corresponding question; for each question in the completed test, the question including a tuple specifying an association between a sentence and a corresponding grammar lesson, querying a sentence repository based on the sentence and the question, the sentence repository being configured to retrievably store a plurality of sentences, each sentence having a list of grammar lesson associations, each lesson association specifying a question and an expected answer; obtaining the expected answer to the question; determining an indication of correctness of the provided answer; and tabulating the question, the sentence, the provided answer, the expected answer, and the indication of correctness. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided method of administering a grammar exercise comprising the steps of: producing a grammar exercise without grammar lesson content, each question in the grammar exercise having a reference to a corresponding lesson; receiving an incomplete grammar exercise with a request to recall a grammar lesson; storing the incomplete grammar exercise; producing the requested grammar lesson; receiving a request to proceed with the grammar exercise; producing the incomplete grammar exercise without grammar lesson content; receiving a completed grammar exercise; and providing feedback on the completed grammar exercise. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided one of: a server computer, a host computer, and a console comprising: a grammar lesson repository configured to retrievably store a plurality of grammar lessons, each grammar lesson having a list of prerequisite lessons associated therewith, the plurality of prerequisite list entries defining a lesson hierarchy; a sentence repository configured to retrievably store a plurality of sentences, each sentence having a list of grammar lesson associations, each lesson association specifying a question and an expected answer; a test generator configured to compile a group of questions into a grammar test according to grammar test parameters; an exercise generator configured to compile a group of questions into a grammar exercise according to grammar exercise parameters; and a feedback generator configured to receive a completed grammar test and provide feedback thereon. 
         [0011]    In accordance with yet another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising: receiving a completed grammar test or a grammar exercise including at least one tuple specifying an association between an answer received and a corresponding question; for each question, the question including a tuple specifying an association between a sentence and a corresponding grammar lesson, querying a sentence repository based on the sentence and the question, the sentence repository being configured to retrievably store a plurality of sentences, each sentence having a list of grammar lesson associations, each lesson association specifying a question and an expected answer; obtaining the expected answer to the question; deriving an indication of correctness of the provided answer; and tabulating the question, the sentence, the provided answer, the expected answer, and the indication of correctness. The method further includes recalling a grammar lesson during for a student interacting with an exercise. 
         [0012]    It is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable for other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing elements of a grammar teaching system in accordance with an implementation of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram showing process steps implementing a method of teaching grammar in accordance with the embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing elements of a grammar teaching system in accordance with another implementation of the embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram showing process steps implementing another method of teaching grammar in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0019]    Given the prior art it was found that improved grammar retention was achieved via reinforcement of grammar concepts. 
         [0020]    For example,  FIG. 1  shows a grammar teaching system  100  in accordance with an implementation of an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0021]    The grammar teaching system  100  includes a grammar lesson repository  120 , a sentence repository  140 , a grammar test generator  160 , and a feedback generator  180 . 
         [0022]    The Grammar Lesson Repository 
         [0023]    In accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, the grammar lesson repository  120  is configured to retrievably store a multitude of grammar lessons  122 . A grammar lesson  122  includes, for example, an exposition of a grammar topic, and may include an example of a sentence analyzed along the lines of the subject matter presented in the grammar lesson  122 . 
         [0024]    Each grammar lesson  122  may have a list  124  of prerequisite lessons associated therewith. Each list of prerequisite lessons  124  may have a variable length. A stand-alone grammar lesson  122  has an empty list of prerequisite lessons  124  associated therewith. 
         [0025]    For example, in accordance with an implementation of the embodiment of the invention, each list of prerequisite lessons  124  may include a linked list of grammar lesson identifiers  126 . A prerequisite grammar lesson  122  is referenced in at least one a list of prerequisite lessons  124 . In accordance with the example implementation presented herein, “a referenced grammar lesson” includes “a grammar lesson  122  pointed to from at least one list of prerequisite lessons  124 , a table of contents  132 , a list of grammar lessons  134 , a list of grammar lesson associations  144 , etc.” An empty list of perquisite lessons  124  may be implemented via a single entry having the pointer pointing to “NILL” signifying the end of the list of prerequisite lessons  124 . 
         [0026]    The combination of the multitude of grammar lessons  122  and the multitude of prerequisite specifications therefor define a grammar lesson hierarchy  130 . Depending on implementation, the grammar lesson hierarchy  130  may be logical, that is, the logical representation of the information stored in all lists of prerequisite lessons  124 , alternatively, the grammar lesson hierarchy  130  may include a data structure configured to retrievably store grammar lesson interdependencies. A representation of the grammar lesson hierarchy  130  may be output on a display of an electronic device or output in printed form. Depending on implementation, the grammar lesson hierarchy  130  may or may not include stand-alone grammar lessons  122 . 
         [0027]    In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, a table of contents  132  is provided. The table of contents  132  suggests a sequence of presentation of the multitude of grammar lessons  122  in the grammar lesson repository  120 . Without limiting the invention, the table of contents  132  may be stored in the grammar lesson repository  120 . The table of contents  132  may include stand-alone grammar lessons  122 . 
         [0028]    Without limiting the invention, an implementation of the table of contents  132  may include a list of grammar lessons  122 . Depending on implementation, each entry in the table of contents  132  is one of: a reference, a link, or a pointer to a grammar lesson  122  in the grammar lesson repository  120 , or a query to the grammar lesson repository  120  to produce the grammar lesson  122 . The table of contents  132  is displayed via a user interface such as a display screen and may be interacted therewith to cause the production of grammar lessons  122  for display. The table of contents  132  may also be output in printed form. 
         [0029]    Without limiting the invention, the table of contents  132  may: be based on the grammar lesson hierarchy  130 , represent a particular traversal of the grammar lesson hierarchy  130 , or correspond to a preferred sequence of presentation of grammar lessons  122 . 
         [0030]    In accordance with the implementation of the exemplary embodiment of the invention presented herein, the grammar lesson repository  120  is configured to produce a grammar lesson  122  on request. The sequence in which the grammar lessons  122  are produced may be stored, for example, in a list of grammar lessons produced  134 . As will be described herein below, and without limiting the invention, grammar lessons requests may be the result of the interaction with a table of contents  132 . 
         [0031]    The Sentence Repository 
         [0032]    In accordance with the proposed method of teaching grammar and in accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, the sentence repository  140  is configured to retrievably store a multitude of sentences  142 . Each sentence  142  may be grammatically correct or grammatically incorrect. For example, a colloquial expression, despite being generally used, may not be grammatically correct (e.g. “It is I.” vs. “It is me.”) 
         [0033]    Each sentence  142  may have a list  144  of grammar lesson ( 122 ) associations relevant to the grammar topics which apply to the sentence  142 . Each list of grammar lesson associations  144  may have a variable length. The lists of grammar lesson associations may be stored in the sentence repository  140 . 
         [0034]    In accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, each list of grammar lesson associations  144  may include a linked list of data structures configured to store a grammar lesson identifier  126 , a question  146 , an expected answer  147 , and optionally an indication of grammatical correctness  148  in respect of the grammar lesson  122  associated with the question  146 . Without limiting the invention, the grammar lesson identifier  126  may be one of: a table of contents entry, a reference to a grammar lesson, a pointer to a grammar lesson  122  in the grammar lesson repository  120 , and a query to the grammar lesson repository  120  to produce the grammar lesson  122 . Depending on implementation, a “NILL” grammar lesson identifier  126  may be used to signify the end of the list of grammar lesson associations  144 . For certainty, no limitations are contemplated for the format and contents of either one of the question  146  and the expected answer  147 . Generally, the question  146  is formulated to elicit a specific answer, typically a specific word or a specific word grouping. 
         [0035]    In accordance with the implementation of the exemplary embodiment of the invention presented herein, the sentence repository  140  is configured to produce a sentence  142  on request. Without limiting the invention, a request query includes a grammar lesson identifier  126  and optionally an indication of grammatical correctness  148 . It is envisioned that the sentence repository  140  may employ a randomizer  166  to produce a random sentence  142  in response to a request when more than one sentence  142  is associated with a specified ( 126 ) grammar lesson  122 . 
         [0036]    The Grammar Test Generator 
         [0037]    In accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, the grammar test generator  160  is configured to produce  230  a grammar test  162  according to grammar test parameters  164 . A grammar test  162  includes a list of questions  146 , each question  146  having a corresponding sentence  142  to which the question  146  relates. 
         [0038]    The grammar test generator  160  is configured to obtain, from the sentence repository  140 , at least one question  146 /sentence  142  pair for inclusion in a grammar test  162 . The grammar test generator  160  is configured to formulate at least one query for the sentence repository  140  based on the test parameters  164 . As described herein above, a query submitted to the sentence repository may return a multitude of test questions  146 . Obtaining a question  146  typically includes obtaining a corresponding sentence  142 . It is envisioned that sentences  142  may be obtained from the sentence repository  140  on demand, for example by querying the sentence repository  140  with a specific question  146  via the association between the question  146  and the sentence  142 . 
         [0039]    Without limiting the invention, the grammar test parameters  164  may include: a list of grammar lessons to be tested, a number of questions to be tested, and optionally a desired mix of grammatical correctness of sentences to be compiled in the grammar test  162 . 
         [0040]    Without limiting the invention, as will be described herein below, an aptitude determination test may be requested by specifying the table of contents  130  as the list of grammar lessons to be tested, a lesson specific retention test may be requested by specifying (a list of grammar lessons containing) a specific grammar lesson  122 , a grammar concept specific test may be requested by providing a list of selected grammar lessons  122  associated with the grammar concept, and a grammar retention test may be requested by specifying the list of grammar lessons produced  134  as the list of grammar lessons to be tested. 
         [0041]    For example, the desired mix of grammatical correctness grammar test parameter may specify, when present, that only grammatically correct sentences be included in the grammar test  162 , that only grammatically incorrect sentences be included in the grammar test  162 , or that the grammar test  162  include sentences having mixed grammatical correctness. Depending on implementation, if the desired mix of grammatical correctness parameter is not specified, by default the generated test  162  may include only grammatically correct sentences or a 50/50 mix thereof, subject to sufficient numbers of grammatically correct and grammatically incorrect sentences  142  being available in the sentence repository  140  for the specified list of lessons. 
         [0042]    Similarly, when the list of lessons includes more than one lesson  122 , without limiting the invention, an equal number of questions  146  per lesson would be returned by default, subject to the number of questions  146  per lesson  122  available in the sentence repository  140 . The desired distribution of questions  146  per lesson in the list may be specified via the number of questions parameter, parameter which may include a list of numbers. 
         [0043]    Grammar Test Repository 
         [0044]    In accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, the grammar teaching system  100  may further include a grammar test repository  170  configured to retrievably store a multitude of grammar tests  162 . The grammar test repository  170  may further be configured to store at least one list  172  of grammar tests ( 162 ). 
         [0045]    In accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, the test generator  160  may further employ the randomizer  166  configured to perform one of randomly selecting a question  146  from a multitude of questions  146  (for example a multitude of questions returned by the sentence repository  140  in response to a query), or randomize a grammar test  162  (for example a grammar test  162  stored in the test storage  170 ). Randomizing a grammar test  162  may be desirable in administering the same grammar test  162  to multiple students in close quarters. 
         [0046]    The Test Feedback Generator 
         [0047]    In accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, the feedback generator  180  is configured to receive a completed grammar test  182  (typically a previously produced grammar test  162 ) and to provide feedback thereon. For example, aside from student identification, the difference between a produced grammar test  162  and the corresponding completed test  182  received may be the presence of received answers. 
         [0048]    The feedback generator  180  includes a comparator  184  configured to compare a received answer with the expected answer  147  for each question  146  in the received grammar test  182 . For example, the expected answer  147  and the received answer are specific words. 
         [0049]    In accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, yet without limiting the invention, a completed grammar test  182  includes an associative data structure, referred to herein as a tuple, specifying an association between a received answer and a question  146  in the received grammar test  182 . Another tuple associated with the question  146  may be employed to specify the association between the corresponding sentence  142  and the corresponding grammar lesson  122 . The feedback generator  180  is further configured to query the sentence repository  140  to obtain the expected answer  147  based on the associative information retrieved from the received grammar test  182 . 
         [0050]    In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, the feedback generator  180  includes a tabulator  188  configured to tabulate, for each question  146  in the received grammar test  182 , the question  146 , the sentence  142 , the received answer, the expected answer  147 , and a received answer correctness indication determined by the comparator  184 . 
         [0051]    In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, the tabulator is further configured to include a lesson identifier ( 126 ) referencing a grammar lesson  122  for which an incorrect answer was received. 
         [0052]    The feedback generator  180 , may further include a sorter  185  configured to sort questions  146  in the completed received test  182  according to grammar lesson  122  associations thereof An aggregator  186  may be employed to track the number of correct answers per lesson. Without limiting the invention, the aggregator  186  may count, bin, compute differentials between, etc. per lesson received answers. The comparator  184  may be further configured to compare the number of correct answers per lesson against a proficiency expectation  187 . Without limiting the invention, grammar proficiency expectations  187  may be provided non-descript, on a per lesson basis, etc. Without limiting the invention, a class (school, school board, previous year&#39;s grammar aptitude test median score, etc.) average may represent a grammar proficiency expectation  187 . 
         [0053]    Exercise Generator 
         [0054]    In accordance with another implementation of embodiment of the invention, the grammar teaching system  100  may include a grammar exercise generator  360  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The grammar exercise generator  360  is configured to produce  330  a grammar exercise  362  according to grammar exercise parameters  364 . A grammar exercise  362  includes a list of questions  146 , each question  146  having a corresponding sentence  142  to which the question  146  relates. 
         [0055]    The grammar exercise generator  360  is configured to obtain, from the sentence repository  140 , at least one question  146 /sentence  142  pair for inclusion in a grammar exercise  362 . The grammar exercise generator  360  is configured to formulate at least one query for the sentence repository  140  based on the exercise parameters  364 . As described herein above, a query submitted to the sentence repository  140  may return a multitude of questions  146 . Obtaining a question  146  typically includes obtaining a corresponding sentence  142 . It is envisioned that sentences  142  may be obtained from the sentence repository  140  on demand, for example by querying the sentence repository  140  with a specific question  146  via the association between the question  146  and the sentence  142 . 
         [0056]    Without limiting the invention, the grammar exercise parameters  364  may include: a list of grammar lessons, a number of questions, and optionally a desired mix of grammatical correctness of sentences to be compiled in the grammar exercise  362 . 
         [0057]    Without limiting the invention, as will be described herein below, an aptitude improvement exercise may be requested by specifying the table of contents  330  as the list of grammar lessons, a lesson specific retention improvement exercise may be requested by specifying (a list of grammar lessons containing) a specific grammar lesson  122 , a grammar concept specific exercise may be requested by providing a list of selected grammar lessons  122  associated with the grammar concept, and a grammar retention improvement exercise may be requested by specifying the list of grammar lessons produced  134  as the list of grammar lessons. 
         [0058]    Similarly as mentioned above by way of example in respect of test generation, the desired mix of grammatical correctness grammar exercise parameter may specify, when present, that only grammatically correct sentences be included in the grammar exercise  362 , that only grammatically incorrect sentences be included in the grammar exercise  362 , or that the grammar exercise  362  include sentences having mixed grammatical correctness. Depending on implementation, if the desired mix of grammatical correctness parameter is not specified, by default the generated exercise  362  may include only grammatically correct sentences or a 50/50 mix thereof, subject to sufficient numbers of grammatically correct and grammatically incorrect sentences  142  being available in the sentence repository  140  for the specified list of lessons. 
         [0059]    Similarly, when the list of lessons includes more than one lesson  122 , without limiting the invention, an equal number of questions  146  per lesson would be included by default, subject to the number of questions  146  per lesson  122  available in the sentence repository  140 . The desired distribution of questions  146  per lesson in the list may be specified via the number of questions parameter, parameter which may include a list of numbers. 
         [0060]    In accordance with the second implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, a reference  126  to the grammar lesson  122  corresponding to each question  146  is included in the produced grammar exercise  362 . The reference  126  to the grammar lesson  122  corresponding to each question  146  may be displayed concurrently with the question  146 . Without limiting the invention, the reference  126  to the grammar lesson  122  may be provided for display below the question  146 . Providing the reference  126  enables the recall of a grammar lesson  122  corresponding to the question  146  during the exercise. 
         [0061]    Grammar Exercise Repository 
         [0062]    In accordance with the implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, the grammar teaching system  100  may further include a grammar exercise repository  370  configured to retrievably store a multitude of grammar exercises  362 . The grammar exercise repository  370  may further be configured to store at least one list  372  of grammar exercises ( 362 ). 
         [0063]    In accordance with the second implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, the exercise generator  360  may further employ the randomizer  166  to perform one of randomly selecting a question  146  from a multitude of questions  146  (for example a multitude of questions returned by the sentence repository  140  in response to a query), or randomize a grammar exercise  362  (for example a grammar exercise  362  stored in the exercise storage  370 ). Randomizing a grammar exercise  362  may be desirable in administering the same grammar exercise  362  to multiple students in close quarters. 
         [0064]    Exercise Feedback Generator 
         [0065]    In accordance with the alternate implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, a feedback generator  380  is configured to receive one of: an incomplete grammar exercise  381  (typically a previously produced grammar exercise  362 ) with a request for a review of a grammar lesson  122 , and receive a completed grammar exercise  382  for which feedback is to be provided. In respect of a completed grammar exercise  382 , aside from student identification, the difference between a produced grammar exercise  362  and the corresponding completed exercise  382  received may be the presence of received answers. 
         [0066]    An incomplete grammar exercise  381  is received, for example, due to the student interacting with a reference  126  to a grammar lesson  122  corresponding to a question  146 . The feedback generator  380  uses the reference  126  to query the lesson repository  120  to cause the production  456  of the grammar lesson  122 . The feedback generator  380  is further configured to cause the storage of the incomplete grammar exercise  381  in the grammar exercise repository  370 . 
         [0067]    In accordance with the second implementation of the embodiment of the invention, in producing a grammar lesson  122 , the grammar teaching system  300  is further configured to include a link or a reference to the incomplete grammar exercise  381  stored in the grammar exercise repository  370 . The grammar teaching system  300  is further configured to receive a request for proceeding with the incomplete grammar exercise  381 , the request including a reference to the incomplete grammar exercise  381  stored in the grammar exercise repository  370 . In response to such a request for proceeding with the incomplete grammar exercise  380 , the grammar teaching system  300  is configured to cause the production of the incomplete grammar exercise  381  from the grammar exercise repository  370 . 
         [0068]    Once a completed grammar exercise  382  is received, the feedback generator  380  is configured to process a completed grammar exercise  382  much like a completed grammar test  182 . For this purpose, the feedback generator  380  employs comparator  184  to compare a received answer with the expected answer  147  for each question  146  in the received grammar exercise  382 . For example, the expected answer  147  and the received answer are specific words. 
         [0069]    In accordance with the second implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein, yet without limiting the invention, a completed grammar exercise  382  includes an associative data structure, referred to herein as a tuple, specifying an association between a received answer and a question  146  in the received grammar exercise  382 . Another tuple associated with the question  146  may be employed to specify the association between the corresponding sentence  142  and the corresponding grammar lesson  122 . The feedback generator  380  is further configured to query the sentence repository  140  to obtain the expected answer  147  based on the associative information retrieved from the received grammar exercise  382 . 
         [0070]    In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, the feedback generator  380  includes the tabulator  188  to tabulate, for each question  146  in the received grammar exercise  382 , the question  146 , the sentence  142 , the received answer, the expected answer  147 , and a received answer correctness indication determined by the comparator  184 . 
         [0071]    In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, the tabulator  188  is further configured to include a lesson identifier ( 126 ) referencing a grammar lesson  122  for which an incorrect answer was received. 
         [0072]    Without limiting the invention, the grammar teaching system  100  may be implemented on a server connected to a communications network, the server having associated therewith the repositories and components described herein above, wherein a student accesses the server remotely from a host computer or console. Other implementations may include a student associated computer or console having associated therewith the repositories and components described herein above. 
         [0073]    Representative Functionality 
         [0074]    The grammar teaching system  100  described above lends itself to be employed in a variety of grammar teaching environments.  FIG. 2  is a flow diagram showing generalized process steps implementing a method of teaching grammar in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. The process presented in  FIG. 2  is shown to have multiple entry steps representing different uses (options). 
         [0075]    For example, a student may initially be presented with a grammar aptitude test  202 . The student completes the test  204 . The completed test submitted to the grammar teaching system  100  is inspected  206  by the feedback generator  180 , and feedback is tabulated  208 . 
         [0076]    If all received answers are found  210  to be correct, the process may store  212  the received test in the test repository  170  and terminates. 
         [0077]    If at least one question  146  was answered incorrectly, the student is presented  213  with a reference ( 126 ) to a grammar lesson  122  for which not all questions  146  were answered correctly. Without limiting the invention, the references ( 126 ) to grammar lessons  122  may be presented in an (ordered) list or tabulated in respect to each incorrectly answered question. 
         [0078]    In accordance with another example of use, a student may be presented  214  with the table of contents  134  as a starting point. 
         [0079]    The selection  220  of any grammar lesson  122  by the student is recorded  217  as a presented lesson in the list of grammar lessons produced  134 . The grammar lesson repository  120  is queried  216  and the selected grammar lesson  122  is produced  218  for display to the student for the student&#39;s perusal. 
         [0080]    In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, a displayed grammar lesson  122  includes a displayed representation of the list prerequisite grammar lessons  124  associated therewith. The list of perquisites is obtained  216  from the lesson repository  120  either with the lesson  122  or separately depending on the implementation of the grammar teaching system  100 . If the student selects  220  a prerequisite grammar lesson  122 , the process resumes from step  216 . 
         [0081]    Having perused a grammar lesson  122  the student may return  222  to the table of contents  132 . 
         [0082]    Without limiting the invention, the displayed grammar lesson  122  or the displayed table of contents  132  may include an option to proceed  224  with a grammar test  162 . Depending on various factors, including but not limited to which grammar lessons  122  are stored in the list of grammar lessons produced  134 , a selection of grammar tests  162  may be provided to the student either accessible directly via a currently displayed grammar lesson  122  or via ( 224 ) the table of contents  132  such as: a grammar lesson specific retention test, a grammar concept specific test, and a grammar retention test. 
         [0083]    Based on the functionality of the system of teaching grammar  100  presented herein above, proceeding  224  with a grammar test  162  may include, however is not limited to: generating  226  a grammar test  162  in accordance with test parameters  164  applicable to the selected grammar test type and the teaching context. The grammar test repository  170  may contain standard grammar tests  162 . A generated test may be stored  228  in the grammar test repository  170 . A grammar test  162  in the grammar test repository  170  may be randomized  229 . 
         [0084]    The selection to proceed  226  with a grammar test culminates with a grammar test  162  being produced  230  for display to, and completion by, the student. Once the grammar test  162  is completed and submitted to the grammar teaching system  100 , the process  200  resumes from step  204 . 
         [0085]    The grammar teaching system  100  may track grammar lessons  122  in respect of which student performance is below proficiency expectation(s) and provide the student with further opportunities to review a grammar lesson  122  and to take a (further) grammar test  162 . Taking a further test may include the formulation of a request for the generation of a new grammar test  162  by the test generator  160 . Without limiting the invention, the feedback generator  180  may generate the request which is produced for inclusion by the tabulator  188  in the feedback provided to the student as described hereinabove. 
         [0086]    In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, the student is provided with the option  232  to obtain a manual and workbook, the grammar teaching system  100  being further configured to produce  234 , without limiting the invention thereto, one of:
       the table of contents  132 , all grammar lessons  122  in the grammar lesson repository  120 , and any standard grammar tests  162  stored in the grammar test repository  170 ;   the list of grammar lessons produced  134 , all grammar lessons produced  122 , all completed grammar tests  162 , and all completed grammar exercises  362 ;   the table of contents  132  with an indication of which grammar lessons  122  were produced, all grammar lessons  122  in the grammar lesson repository  120  with an indication of the level proficiency attained, all grammar tests  162  in the grammar test repository  170  which were not taken, and every grammar test  182  received with an indication of the level of proficiency attained, and every grammar exercise received  382  with an indication of student&#39;s performance;   etc.       
 
         [0091]    Exercise Functionality 
         [0092]    A modified process  400  is shown in  FIG. 4  to include functionality employed in administering an exercise in accordance with the second implementation of the embodiment of the invention presented herein. 
         [0093]    From the table of contents  132  displayed in step  214 , the student may opt to proceed  424  with an exercise in respect of a grammar lesson  122 . Alternatively, while reviewing a grammar lesson  122  produced in step  218 , the student may opt to proceed  424  with an exercise. In accordance with the second implementation of the embodiment of the invention, proceeding with an exercise may include providing exercise parameters  364  to the exercise generator  360  or cause the selection of a previously prepared exercise. 
         [0094]    The exercise generator  360  generates  426  an exercise  362  in accordance with the exercise parameters  364  provided thereto. The generated exercise  362  may be stored  428  in the exercise repository  370 . The generated exercise  362  may be randomized  429  by randomizer  166  before being produced  432 . Without limiting the invention, producing  432  the exercise  462  includes identifying the exercise  362  as the current exercise. 
         [0095]    The student reviews the exercise  362  with the intention to complete answers to questions  146 . Preferably, the exercise  362  is presented to the student in the absence of the relevant grammar lesson(s)  122 . 
         [0096]    If the student feels comfortable with the subject matter of the exercise  362 , the student would complete the exercise  362  and submit  440  the completed exercise  382  to the feedback generator  380 . The feedback generator  380  receives  442  the completed exercise  382 , clears  444  the current exercise specifier, inspects  446  the received exercise  382 , and the process returns from step  208 . 
         [0097]    In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention, if the student feels challenged by a question  146  in the exercise  362 , the student may recall  450  the grammar lesson  122  corresponding to the question  146 . The grammar teaching system  300  obtains the grammar lesson  122  from the lesson repository  120 , for example via a query  452 . The recalled grammar lesson  122  is recorded  454  as having been produced  456 . 
         [0098]    While reviewing the grammar lesson  122  produced, the student may select  458  a prerequisite grammar lesson  122  and the process  400  returns to step  452 . 
         [0099]    Having gained familiarity with the subject matter of the question  146 , the student may select  460  to return to the exercise  362  and the process  400  resumes from step  432 . 
         [0100]    Without limiting the invention, the functionality of the grammar teaching system  100 / 300  may be implemented as coded logic including the grammar teaching processes  200 / 400 . A computer-readable medium may include computer-executable instructions for performing the functionality of the grammar teaching system  100 / 300  and/or coded logic implementing grammar teaching process  200 / 400 . 
         [0101]    The term computer-readable medium is understood to include, without being limited thereto: any kind of computer memory such as, punch cards, ticker tape, magnetic tape, floppy disks, conventional hard disks, CD-ROMs, writable CDs, re-writable CDs, DVDs, writable DVDs, re-writable DVDs, Flash ROMs, writable Flash, re-writable Flash, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, nonvolatile ROM, magneto-optical disk, RAM, optical storage system, fiber loop storage system, holographic data storage system, and MEMS-based scanning-probe data-storage system. 
         [0102]    Although various aspects of the present invention have been described herein including for example a lesson repository, a lesson hierarchy, a sentence repository, a list of lessons, a list of lessons relevant to a sentence, a randomizer, a test generator, a test repository, a list of tests, an exercise generator, an exercise repository, a list of exercises, a feedback generator, a comparator, an aggregator, a sorter, and a tabulator, it is to be understood that each of these features may be used independently or in various combinations, as desired, in a grammar teaching system  100 / 300 . 
         [0103]    The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article “a” or “an” is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for”.