Duolingo is a commercial language-teaching platform that offers free courses on the web and on mobile apps. This study reports the ACTFL listening and reading proficiency levels of adult Duolingo learners who had completed beginning-level courses in Spanish or French. The participants (n = 225) were learners residing in the United States, had…

Hundreds of millions of language learners around the globe study a second language with popular apps such as Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, Busuu, and Babbel. This study examined the effectiveness of one app, Babbel, for developing both receptive linguistic knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, as well as oral communicative ability in Spanish as a second…

This is the first of what will be a regular feature presenting reviews of foreign language software and discussions of problems and perspectives in foreign language computer-assisted instruction. Gives an overview of the state of the art in microcomputer courseware and presents criteria for courseware review. (SED)

A review of "Using Computers in the Language Classroom" highlights the textbook's user-friendly perspective, clear language, and strong and consistent emphasis on using the computer, rather than on machinery or concepts. The textbook includes invaluable suggestions for software management. (CB)

"Juegos comunicativos," a software program designed for use with the Apple IIe, IIc, or II+, emphasizes "communicative" computer-assisted Spanish language learning through five educational games. The program uses Spanish vocabulary and structures to solve "problems" rather than the standard drill-and-practice format.…

Describes and evaluates "Language Study Center," a computer diskette composed of 12 lessons, 4 each in German, French, and Spanish. It contains drills, tests, learning games, and tutorials and also allows teachers to make additional lessons and questions and answers. Also presents guidelines for teachers to use in evaluating…

Describes and reviews "systeme-D," a foreign language microcomputer software package that provides support for composition writing in French. The software's pedagogical philosophy, programming, usability, technical ease, teaching use, intended audience, learning use, and related research are discussed. (CB)

Within the framework of David Wyatt's paper, "Computer-Assisted Teaching and Testing of Reading and Listening," discusses some limitations and problems in computer-assisted foreign language training in bringing a student up to level three of the Interagency Language Roundtable ratings. Notes that potentially effective software may be…

Describes how a word processor can be used as an authoring system for computer-assisted instruction exercise materials, noting that, although limited, this system can address a range of immediate classroom needs in foreign language teaching. (CB)

"Morgens geht Fritz zur Schule" is a software tutorial and drill program, designed for use with the Apple II computer, which provides practice with German prepositions for students in a beginning German language course. (CB)

Discusses the special needs of foreign language word processing and features that should be considered before investing in word processing equipment. Gutenburg, Jr., a word processing program, is critically reviewed. (LMO)

Reviews DRILL 2.0, an Apple Macintosh courseware authoring system with several exercises that can be tailored for foreign language classes. Such aspects as student operation, instructor design, and disadvantages are considered. (CB).

Describes a system for teaching language translation skills in which students use a word processor to record their translations. The instructor manipulates these translations to produce a sampler which becomes the basis for class discussion. Students then edit their translations to reflect what they have learned. (Author/CB)

Reviews some word processing programs that facilitate the writing task. These programs cover the following areas: 1) spelling; 2) punctuation and style; 3) thesauruses; 4) sexist language; 5) text and author statistics; 6) footnotes; 7) indexes; and 8) bibliography. Also provides an outline of the "Computer Education Assistance Act" of 1985 (S.…

Presents an example of a multimedia program for French-as-a-Foreign-Language instruction developed at Penn State University using a videodisc selection that illustrates the use of authentic materials with potential for adaptations for various levels, tasks, and media. (JL)