Intelligent computer-assisted language learning

'''Intelligent Computer Assisted Language Learning (ICALL)''', or '''Intelligent Computer Assisted Language Instruction (ICALI)''', involves the application of computing technologies to the teaching and learning of second or foreign languages.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Contemporary computer-assisted language learning|date=2012|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|others=Thomas, Michael, 1969-, Reinders, Hayo., Warschauer, Mark.|isbn=978-1-4411-1300-9|location=London|oclc=820029337}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Gamper|first1=Johann|last2=Knapp|first2=Judith|date=2002|title=A Review of Intelligent CALL Systems|journal=Computer Assisted Language Learning|language=en|volume=15|issue=4|pages=329–342|doi=10.1076/call.15.4.329.8270|s2cid=11814439 |issn=0958-8221}}</ref> ICALL combines Artificial intelligence with Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) systems to provide software that interacts intelligently with students, responding flexibly and dynamically to student's learning progress.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Bontogon|first1=Megan|last2=Arppe|first2=Antti|last3=Antonsen|first3=Lene|last4=Thunder|first4=Dorothy|last5=Lachler|first5=Jordan|date=2018|title=Intelligent Computer Assisted Language Learning (ICALL) for nêhiyawêwin : An In-Depth User-Experience Evaluation|journal=Canadian Modern Language Review|volume=74|issue=3|pages=337–362|doi=10.3138/cmlr.4054|s2cid=149711542 |issn=0008-4506}}</ref><ref name=sue>{{cite thesis|degree=PhD|publisher=University of Edinburgh|title=Recognising and responding to English article usage errors : an ICALL based approach|first= Susan|last=Sentance|url=https://era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/20176|date=1993|oclc=605993412|id={{EThOS|uk.bl.ethos.661745}}|website=ed.ac.uk|hdl=1842/20176|author-link=Sue Sentance}} {{free access}}</ref>

Natural language processing (NLP) and Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) are prominent computing technologies in artificial intelligence that inform and influence ICALL.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=Errors and intelligence in computer-assisted language learning : parsers and pedagogues|last=Heift, Trude.|date=2007|publisher=Routledge|others=Schulze, Mathias, 1962-|isbn=978-0-203-01221-5|location=New York|oclc=191541349}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Matthews|first=Clive|date=1993|title=Grammar Frameworks in Intelligent CALL.|journal=CALICO Journal|volume=11|issue=1|pages=5–27|doi=10.1558/cj.v11i1.5-27 |s2cid=60842088 }}</ref> Other computing technologies applied to ICALL include Knowledge representation (KP), Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Neural networks, User modelling, and Expert systems. In relation to language learning, ICALL utilizes linguistic theory and theories of second-language acquisition in its pedagogy.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

== History == ICALL developed from the field of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in the late 1970s<ref name=":0" /> and early 1980s.<ref name=":3" /> ICALL is a smaller field, and not yet fully formed.

Following the pattern of most language learning technologies, English is a prominent language featured in ICALL technology.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|last=Shaalan 1|first=Khaled F|date=2005|title=An Intelligent Computer Assisted Language Learning System for Arabic Learners|journal=Computer Assisted Language Learning|language=en|volume=18|issue=1–2|pages=81–109|doi=10.1080/09588220500132399|issn=0958-8221}}</ref> ICALL programs have also been developed in languages such as German,<ref name=":6">{{Cite book|title=Artificial companion for second language conversation : chatbots support practice using conversation analysis|last=Höhn, Sviatlana|isbn=978-3-030-15504-9|location=Cham, Switzerland|oclc=1105896323|date = 2019-06-21}}</ref> Japanese,<ref name=":6" /> Portuguese,<ref name=":6" /> Mandarin Chinese,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Chen|first1=Nancy F.|last2=Wee|first2=Darren|last3=Tong|first3=Rong|last4=Ma|first4=Bin|last5=Li|first5=Haizhou|date=2016-11-01|title=Large-scale characterization of non-native Mandarin Chinese spoken by speakers of European origin: Analysis on iCALL|journal=Speech Communication|volume=84|pages=46–56|doi=10.1016/j.specom.2016.07.005|issn=0167-6393|doi-access=free}}</ref> and Arabic.<ref name=":5" /> ICALL systems are also contributing to the learning of languages that are not as accessible to learn (due to a lesser amount of language resources), or less commonly learned languages, such as Cree.<ref name=":2" />

== Features == Intelligent CALL is sometimes called parser-based CALL, due to the heavy reliance that ICALL has on parsing.<ref name=":3" /> An example of the function of parsing in an ICALL software is a parser detecting errors in the syntax and morphology of sentences freely generated by student users. After using parsing to find any errors, ICALL can provide corrective feedback to students.<ref name=":3" /> Parsing is considered a task of natural language processing.

The ability for students to receive feedback on random, uniquely produced sentences places ICALL in a more engaging teacher role. If students are struggling in certain areas, some ICALL systems will invent new sentences or questions in those areas, giving students more practice.<ref name=":3" /> Basically, ICALL is meant to intelligently adapt to student learning needs as a student progresses; this often means (partially or wholly) fulfilling a tutor or teacher role.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|last1=Bailin|first1=Alan|last2=Levin|first2=Lori|author2-link=Lori Levin|date=1989|title=Introduction: Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Instruction|journal=Computers and the Humanities|volume=23|issue=1|pages=3–11|issn=0010-4817|jstor=30204410|doi=10.1007/BF00058765|s2cid=64307424 }}</ref> Programs that attempt to fulfill this role are categorized as tutorial ICALL.<ref name=":0" />

Non-tutorial ICALL systems include various language tools and dialogue systems,<ref name=":0" /> such as a digital interlocutor.<ref name=":1" /> Programs for automatically evaluating student-written essays have also been invented,<ref name=":3" /> such as the [https://www.ets.org/erater E-rater].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Attali|first1=Yigal|last2=Burstein|first2=Jill|date=2006-02-01|title=Automated Essay Scoring With e-rater® V.2|url=https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/jtla/article/view/1650|journal=The Journal of Technology, Learning and Assessment|language=en|volume=4|issue=3|issn=1540-2525}}</ref>

== Limitations == ICALL technology still has many issues and limitations, due to the recency of artificial intelligence being integrated into CALL systems, and the complexity of this enormous task.<ref name=":0" /> Artificially intelligent educational software should do its best to encompass the linguistic knowledge and pedagogy of a language teacher in order to resolve these issues.<ref name=":7" /> This includes tracking student learning, giving feedback, creating new challenging material in response to student needs, understanding effective teaching strategies, and detecting linguistic errors (grammar, spelling, semantics, morphology, and so on).<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7" />

Additionally, ICALL systems take a long time to develop, and developers must consult professionals in many disciplines.<ref name=":7" /> Programming ICALL software is a necessarily multi-disciplinary project.<ref name=":6" />

Further research and development in ICALL will benefit the fields of applied linguistics, computational linguistics, artificial intelligence, educational technology, to name a few. ICALL will also expand current knowledge about second language acquisition.<ref name=":3" /> Despite its limitations, ICALL is a worthwhile field, especially as technology progresses.<ref name=":6" />

==References== {{Reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning}} Category:Language learning software Category:Language education Category:Educational technology