Welcome to CLIPS (Computer Language Instruction & Practice Software)
Brigham Young University developed Computerized Language Instruction and Practice Software (CLIPS), which utilizes proven approaches in language education to help students rapidly learn intermediate and advanced grammar in foreign languages. CLIPS is available in Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian and many other languages. After 30 years of successfully utilizing these approaches in language education at BYU, this powerful language instruction tool is now available via the Internet to universities and learning institutions worldwide. Languages currently available on the Internet include Spanish, English, ESL, and Portuguese (available in September 2006). Other languages will be available on the Internet in the near future.
Capabilities
- Comprehensive – Over 260 individual lessons per language with rules covering all main grammar topics, including irregularities.
- Personalized instruction – Student assessment test followed by personalized guidance with lessons and practice questions on topic areas missed.
- Access anywhere – Student only needs an Internet browser.
- Easy to use – Only basic computer experience needed.
- Dramatic improvement – Improving grammar usage significantly broadens and improves fluency and strengthens confidence.
Using CLIPS
Students log on to CLIPS with their personal account using an Internet browser and complete an assessment section covering the broad range of grammar topics for the selected language of study. CLIPS returns a rating of Green (student has command of the language rules), Yellow (student has partial command of the language rules), or Red (student needs significant study in this area). Students are then directed to study lessons and practice questions on topics where they are weak. Students practice until they feel prepared and retake the assessment.
English Departments
Studies have shown that incoming freshmen, even with English as a first language, have not received the proper grammar training in high school. Due to this fact, CLIPS was developed as an English grammar tool for English first year students. Because of the adaptive nature of CLIPS, professors don't have to cover as much grammar in class, but leave the grammar to the student, saving valuable class time.