English Courses

This course offers a hands-on exploration of the science behind human sounds and speech and their applications in speech technology. Students learn what aspects of speech are important for designing effective AI speech systems, how to analyze speech data using scientific methods, and how to apply these insights to solve real-world challenges. From voice assistants to language learning apps, the knowledge and skills gained provide a competitive edge in fields such as improving customer interactions with voice technology, advancing research in neuroscience and acoustic technology, enhancing branding and marketing through speech analysis, improving human-AI interaction, or refining pronunciation for professional and confident communication. 

• analyze human speech using free, user-friendly software tools
• explore own interests, from understanding foreign accents to improving speech synthesis or studying how humans and machines communicate.

• Final project: explore topics of interests or relevance (e.g. synthesized speech, code-switching, foreign accents)
• Out-of-class work: small group-based tasks to develop skills for the final project
• Other assessments: two in-class tests

• No prior knowledge of phonetics or speech technology needed.

• This course would appeal to any student interested in technology, AI, business innovation, engineering solutions, neuroscience research, or communication; these are fields of direct practical applications for this topic. 

Course outcomes

• Develop ability to use industry-relevant tools and software to analyze speech, opening doors to careers in human-AI interface, automatic speech recognition, language technology, and more.

• Gain technical and analytical skills that can be applied to diverse fields

Practical applications

Speech technology has applications in many fields:

• Engineering: Enhance speech technology systems, design human-computer interfaces, or improve voice recognition software.

• Science: Advance research by analysing speech data for research in neuroscience or bioacoustics.

• Business: Leverage speech analytics to enhance customer experience, optimize AI-driven services, and understand consumer behavior.
• Humanities and Social Sciences: Examine how speech shapes cultural identity, language policy, and social inclusion, and critically assess the ethical implications of speech technology.