Challenges and Lessons Learned in Second Language Learning Systems

Abstract

Advances in Intelligent Computer Assisted Language Learning (ICALL) over the past few years have yielded several working systems that promise to do much to change how we learn languages. Some of these efforts have solved problems such as use of multimedia environments that provide learners with robust context and multimodal information to support immersion in a language. Other efforts have shown that problems remain, such as modelling discourse processes and parsing a learner’s language for appropriate error feedback. This paper will discuss selected ICALL efforts in the United States and Europe that illustrate the lessons learned and resulting research progress. In addition, several key research challenges in second language learning in advanced technology systems will be presented. This background will provide a state-of-the-art overview of research issues related to Advanced Educational Technology for language learning. In addition to the author’s ICALL research, examples will draw from laboratories at Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, Xerox PARC, with mention of user modelling efforts at the Universite de Clermont and Universite di Udine.