The effectiveness of advanced learning technologies is discussed and the concept of Just-in-Time Learning Systems with the potential of multimedia for interactive learning is advocated. Five key elements of a multimedia learning system are presented, including the use of digitized video. (LB)

Five long-term CALICO members and contributors to the realities of computer-assisted language learning discuss software evaluation; research and pedagogy in language, literature, and culture learning; certification of accomplishments; and relationships with other related professional organizations. (LB)

It is argued that software developers should use a combination of methodologies to determine the reading difficulties of lower-level foreign language students. The Penn State experience with ClearText is reported. (12 references) (Author/LB)

Computers can aid students of Japanese as a foreign language (JFL) by rapidly teaching the language's 2000 written characters, automatically translating words and documents, and assisting with input of Japanese texts. Introduces and evaluates new software technologies that significantly ease the reading and writing of Japanese. (Author/VWL)

Outlines an approach to develop a computer program that can parse beginner-level English in BASIC through input processing, word matching, and phrase structure parsing. (CB)

Describes a parsing program called "Analyzing Language" (AL). The Augmented Transition Network was modified to incorporate case grammar analysis. Turbo PASCAL is the program's language. (Author/LMO)

Question and answer column about the CD ROM medium discusses: (1) optical storage devices available; (2) language teaching applications; (3) types of courseware available; (4) costs to hook up a CD ROM drive as a peripheral to an existing system; (5) how to go about developing and mastering a disk; and (6) mastering and replication costs.…

Describes a computer-based intelligent tutoring system for French as a Second Language, called FrenchWriter, which is built on an object-orientated, unification-based natural language processor. Examples are provided of how this hypertext software interacts with students and of what sort of grammatical phenomena it is capable of handling.…

The implementation and evaluation of a computer-based kanji finder developed on a Macintosh using HyperCard is reported. In a comparison study, the electronic kanji finder resulted in more effective retrieval than traditional retrieval using reference books. (18 references) (Author/LB)

A serious drawback in introducing sound into computer programs for teaching foreign language speech has been the lack of an algorithm to turn off the cassette recorder immediately to keep screen text and audio in synchronization. This article describes a program which solves that problem. (SED)

Foreign language teachers are encouraged to participate in developing computer courseware. Advantages include the potential for higher quality and more plentiful materials, increased confidence with computers, and the kind of discipline a computer affords in focusing on and organizing an exercise. (MSE)

An experiment tested two software packages, Master Max and Yourturn, in a real learning environment and suggested one possible way of integrating the computer into the language classroom. It is argued that for secondary education the computer's "tool function" is most important, giving more practical emphasis to second-language learning.…

By order of the Civil Service Commission of Belgium, Didascalia, the University of Antwerp developed an adaptive system for evaluating second-language proficiency. A computer model based on probability and information theory was developed; the first module of the ATLAS test currently assesses approximately 15,000 civil servants yearly. (one…

Describes software created for improving higher order interpretation skills that focuses on anaphoric resolutions and backward inferences, skills particularly important for developing reading skills in Japanese because of the language's tendency to omit referents if they can be reconstructed from the text. (Author/VWL)

Describes six types of software (manipulative, problem-solving, text reconstruction, text construction, simulation, and adventure) and the possible roles of each in computer-assisted language learning. (Author/CB)