"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.…

To be effective, second language pronunciation training requires immediate, individualized, and informative feedback to students on the nature of the errors made. Such features can be incorporated into a computer program such as one implemented on PLATO. (MSE)

Describes commercial examples of computerized adventure games that have much to offer language learning. Features for such a program are suggested, and the means by which these programs can be modified for instructional purposes are discussed. (Author/CB)

Reports on the progress of the Duke Language Toolkit, a collection of programs formulated to provide foreign alphabet capabilities on the IBM PC. The Toolkit itself, the interface of the Toolkit to other commonly used software, and the direction of the Toolkit project over the next nine months are discussed. (SED)

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…

Presents evaluation criteria for reviewing foreign language microcomputer teaching programs. Areas covered include accuracy and authenticity of the language, documentation of the program's goals and uses, presentation of information which embodies sound methods of language instruction, packaging which fosters student interest, and the ease with…

Discusses David Wyatt's paper, "Computer-Assisted Teaching and testing of reading and Listening," focusing on the interactive computer testing of reading proficiency. Makes suggestions for the shape of an interactive diagnostic reading test and discusses software development and on-site delivery mechanisms of the tests. (SED)

Several eras of computer-assisted language instruction are outlined, and it is suggested that the multiplicity of templates, or mini-authoring systems, currently available can be very helpful to language teachers. The PROMPT template designed for two types of reading comprehension is described. (MSE)

A study observed a significant curvilinear relationship between speaking rates and accentedness and comprehensibility judgments of utterances produced by users from a variety of first language backgrounds. A second study manipulated rates with speech compression-expansion software established that this effect was due to the rate differences rather…

Describes the use of a pitch visualization software in a pronunciation course in French as a second language. Outlines the software's characteristics and explains the methodological and pedagogical framework of the experiment. (Author/VWL)

This article covers the second part of a workshop on registering copyrighted materials, off-air video recording, using copyrighted videotapes in the classroom, and computer software copyright. The Copyright Law provides for the protection of the authors of creative works, while at the same time providing certain exemptions for educators and…

This paper outlines trends and activities in Central and Eastern European language research and language-related software development (language engineering) and briefly describes some specific projects. The language engineering segment of the European Union's Fourth Framework Programme, intended to facilitate use of telematics applications and…

Whilst the potential of online Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in terms of access, immediacy and exposure is widely acknowledged, as yet remarkably little is known about its impact on the user population, be they language teachers or learners. Indeed, beyond its technological development, online CALL design is still affected by a dearth…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe how and why Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) has developed a system aiming to effectively place students in freshman and developmental English programs. The placement system includes: triangulating data from external test scores, with scores from a panel-marked hand-written essay (HWE),…

This paper proposes a multimedia English learning (MEL) system, based on Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and mastery theory strategy, for teaching students with the aim of enhancing their English phonetic awareness and pronunciation. It can analyze phonetic structures, identify and capture pronunciation errors to provide students with targeted advice…