Report OL205 Interactive technologies for language learning

The increased international mobility of people within the European 'job market' has created a growing demand for tuition in modern languages. In order to cope with this demand language instructors are now turning to computer-assisted language learning (CALL.) techniques based upon the use of interactive computer-based workstations. In the past the use of CALL techniques has been hampered because of the limitations imposed by the delivery stations and the courseware which had to be used; these were mainly text-based, and there was limited end-user interaction and participation. Currently available technology enables markedly improved CALL environments to be developed, based on the use of multimedia personal computers (MPCs) which are able to deliver resources that employ high quality pictures, sound, and moving images.

This report describes the background to, and the work undertaken, during a research and development project that was intended to explore the potential utility of digital optical storage technology (based on compact disc) for the dissemination and delivery of interactive language learning courseware using environments involving MPCs. Two interactive delivery stations were created and some courseware then developed. These resources were then used in a controlled way in order to assess the utility of the hardware and software technologies and their 'teaching effectiveness' with respect to language instruction. Both workstations contained an internal CD-ROM drive. One of them contained a SoundBlaster sound synthesis card, and the other contained an Intel ActionMedia DVI delivery board.

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This page last updated 24 January 1999.