Free copy of our latest paper in Computer Assisted Language Learning

Our article, Language teachers’ perceptions on the use of OER language processing technologies in MALL, has just been published on Computer Assisted Language Learning Journal, Taylor & Francis Online.

50 free eprints can be downloaded from the following URL:

http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/epWFWhVAGFZ4yRSIaMcA/full

Get yours now!!!!

Abstract

Combined with the ubiquity and constant connectivity of mobile devices, and with innovative approaches such as Data-Driven Learning (DDL), Natural Language Processing Technologies (NLPTs) as Open Educational Resources (OERs) could become a powerful tool for language learning as they promote individual and personalized learning. Using a questionnaire that was answered by language teachers (n = 230) in Spain and the UK, this research explores the extent to which OER NLPTs are currently known and used in adult foreign language learning. Our results suggest that teachers’ familiarity and use of OER NLPTs are very low. Although online dictionaries, collocation dictionaries and spell checkers are widely known, NLPTs appear to be generally underused in foreign language teaching. It was found that teachers prefer computer-based environments over mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and that teachers’ qualification determines their familiarity with a wider range of OER NLPTs. This research offers insight into future applications of Language Processing Technologies as OERs in language learning.

KEYWORDS: Language learning, teachers’ perceptions, OER, MALL, natural language processing technologies, higher education

#CFP Learner Language, #corpuslinguistics and #mobilelearning deadline March 31

 

cfp_conference-01-e1452530019824

 

Learner Language, Corpus Linguistics and Mobile Learning

at Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany, 20 July 2016

Pre-conference workshop of the 12th Teaching and Language Corpora Conference organised by the

Transforming European Learner Language into Learning Opportunities (TELL-OP) team

Call for Papers

TELL-OP is a Strategic Partnership that seeks to promote the take-up of innovative practices in European language learning (Data Driven Learning, DDL) by supporting personalised learning approaches that rely on the use of information and communication technology and open educational resources by bringing together the knowledge and expertise of European stakeholders in the fields of language education, corpus and applied linguistics, e-learning and knowledge engineering in order to promote cooperation and contribute to unleash the potential behind already available web 2.0 services to promote the personalised e-learning of languages in the contexts of higher and adult education, in particular, through mobile devices.

This pre-conference workshop will take place all day on Wednesday, 20 July 2016. It will start with an introduction to TELL-OP aims and outcomes including a beta version of the TELL-OP language learning application developed by the workshop organisers and end with a round table. As part of the workshop, we would like to invite stakeholders in the field to submit abstracts for paper presentations. We would like to invite educators, teachers, linguists, software developers, and second/foreign language researchers working at the interface of learner language, corpus linguistics and mobile learning.

Paper presentations will consist of a 20-minute talk followed by 10 minutes for questions and discussion. Papers reporting on empirical research should represent either completed work, or work in progress where some results can be reported. Abstracts on all topics related to the connection between learner language, corpus linguistics and mobile learning are welcome, especially those focusing on one of the following topics:

  • (personalized) mobile learning
  • DDL and mobile learning
  • (learner) corpus research and their benefit for mobile learning
  • teaching with mobile learning applications
  • teaching and/or assessment with mobile learning devices
  • automatic feedback in mobile learning devices
  • corpus linguistics applications in mobile environments

We are welcoming paper presentations on any of these topics listed above. However, we are especially encouraging presentations that combine any of these topics. We request abstracts of 500 words (not counting the reference list) for paper presentations. Abstracts can be submitted to:

tellop@um.es

The deadline for abstract submission is 31 March 2016.

Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by 30 April 2016, along with further information on the workshop.

We hope to see you in Giessen in July 2016!

The organising committee consists of:

Pascual Pérez-Paredes, Dogan Bulut, Baki Dursun, Ibrahim Ercan, Sandra Götz, Stefanie Hehner, Fanny Meunier, Carlos Ordoñana, Karin Puga, Julie Van de Vyver, Pilar Aguado, Gregorio Martínez and Purificación Sánchez.

E-mail: tellop@um.es

 

Using the CEFR: Principles of Good Practice @Cambridge_Uni

 

www_cambridgeenglish_org_images_126011-using-cefr-principles-of-good-practice_pdf

 

The CEFR is a comprehensive document, and as such, individual users can find it difficult to read and interpret. The Council of Europe has created a number of guidance documents to help in this interpretation. Helping you find your way around the CEFR and its supporting documents is one of our key aims in creating Using the CEFR: Principles of Good Practice. If you want a brief overview of the CEFR read Section 1 of this booklet. If you are a teacher or administrator working in an educational setting and would like guidance on using and interacting with the CEFR then reading Section 2 will be useful to you. If you want to find out about how Cambridge ESOL works with the CEFR then read Section 3. Each section is preceded by a page that signposts key further reading.

Here’s the CEFR online pubication.

Extended Java WordNet Library Updated

Through the Linkedin computational linguistics group

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extJWNL (Extended Java WordNet Library) is a Java API for creating, reading and updating dictionaries in WordNet format. The library features support for:

* browsing, creating, editing and writing dictionaries
* encodings, including UTF-8
* Java generics
* huge dictionaries
* instance dictionaries and static singletone dictionary
* Maven
* ewn: command-line tool to browse, create and edit dictionaries in WordNet format
* thread-safety
* and more

# About Current Release

The 1.9 release contains these improvements:

– IO rewritten to use block reads
– synchronization removed or replaced with finer-grained blocks
– parsing rewritten to decrease memory reallocations
– memory use decreased for ASCII resource dictionaries: char[] -> byte[]
– reading speed improved: resource random walk ~2.7x, file random walk ~43.8x, file iteration ~11.9x
– upgrade to Java 7
– bugs fixed

# Acknowledgements

This release is supported by YourKit Open Source License and
[YourKit Java Profiler](https://www.yourkit.com/java/profiler/index.jsp)

# Resources

* [Homepage](http://extjwnl.sourceforge.net/)
* [Download](http://sourceforge.net/projects/extjwnl/files)
* [Documentation](https://github.com/extjwnl/extjwnl/wiki)
* [Mailing Lists](http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/extjwnl-announce)
* [Forums](http://sourceforge.net/projects/extjwnl/forums/)
* [Source Code](https://github.com/extjwnl/extjwnl/)
* [Issues](https://github.com/extjwnl/extjwnl/issues)

TELL-OP -Kick-off meeting

       
TELL-OP 
Transforming European Learner Language into Learning Opportunities
2014-1-ES01-KA203-004782
A KA200 Higher Education Strategic Partnership
 Universidad de Murcia, January 14, 2015
Kick-off meeting agenda
Venue: Universidad de Murcia, Spain, January 14-16, 2015
Campus de La Merced, Universidad de Murcia
Plaza de la Universidad, Murcia, Spain
SALA JACOBO DE LAS LEYES
Hemeroteca Clara Campoamor, Campus La Merced
Suggested arrival date: January 13 (evening) or 14 (morning)
Suggested departure: January 16  (afternoon-evening) or 17
Wednesday 14
Slot 1    16:00-18:30
Thursday 15
Slot 2 9:30-11:30
Slot 3       12:00-13:45
Slot 4       16:00-18:30
Friday 16
Slot 5 9:30-11:30
Slot 6 12:00-13:45
Slot 1 An overview of ERASMUS+ KA200 & regulations
Slot 2 A detailed overview of TELL-OP: aims, timescale and outputs
Slot 3 Intelectual outputs 5,6 & 7
Slot 4 Intelectual outputs 8 & 9
Slot 5 Intelectual outputs 10, 11 & 14
Slot 6 Intelectual output 12 & Multiplier event

Accommodation for international delegates

Hotel Arco S. Juan: http://www.arcosanjuan.com/en/
Plaza Ceballos, 10
30003 Murcia, Spain

Project management intranet