Abstract
This thesis explores the possibility of improving the performance of our Mandarin speech assessment systems on 32-bit fix-point platform. For improving efficiency, we have proposed several methods for reduce computation, such that the response time of the system can be as short as possible without degrading its performance. For improving effectiveness, we have also proposed four score-correction rules that can be used to give a more consistent scores of speech assessment. We have implemented these methods and rules on a PMP (personal media player) based Mandarin speech assessment system with satisfactory performance both in efficiency and effectiveness.