Computer Assisted Language Learning

In collaboration with the Second Language Studies department (SLS), we have been conducting a number of studies into the effectiveness of language learning software, mainly in the area of vocabulary acquisition.

It has been suggested that understanding of at least 8,000 to 9,000 English word-families is needed for comprehension of written text and around 6,000 to 7,000 for comprehension of spoken text. Clearly a significant amount of vocabulary is essential for fluent and appropriate language use in various situations, including listening to academic lectures, communicating with others, reading books, and writing essays. Although many researchers recommend explicit vocabulary instruction, vocabulary building is given less priority in second language (L2) classrooms, on the assumption that students will learn on their own through natural exposure to language or by necessity. In order to resolve this conflict over the limited amount of class time available, there is a growing interest among SLA researchers and teachers in using technology for vocabulary instruction in and outside the classroom.

Learning a word usually involves learning its spoken and written forms, various meanings, as well as its idiomatic use. For a language learner, knowing a word may initially mean that they should be able to connect a word form with its meaning. The perceived success of vocabulary learning, therefore, may largely depend on how well the form-meaning mapping process takes place, at least at the early stage of vocabulary acquisition. In our current studies we are evaluating the efficacy of new vocabulary learning technologies and exploring how software can facilitate acquisition of vocabulary form-meaning mappings.

Publications:

Joseph S.R.H., Binsted K. & Suthers D. (2005) "PhotoStudy: Vocabulary Learning and Collaboration on Fixed & Mobile Devices" In WMTE 2005: Third International IEEE Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education: 28th -30th November: Tokushima, Japan. pdf

Joseph S.R.H., Joseph S.H. & Joseph M.H. (2005) "Sequencing Vocabulary Instruction: Artificial vs. Real Users" In Student Modeling for Language Tutors Workshop at AIED 2005: 12th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education: 18-22 July: Amsterdam, The Netherlands. pdf

Joseph S., Smith Lewis A.& Joseph M.H. (2004) "Adaptive Vocabulary Instruction" In IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies: 141-145 September: Joensu, Finland. pdf