Semantic Discourse Processing and Tutoring Systems for Second Language Learning

A stratified model of discourse comprehension and production is presented and its implications for second language learning are discussed. A distinction is made between language-specific syntactic and semantic processing at the sentence level, and nonanguage-specific conceptual and semantic processing at the discourse level. Results from studies of discourse comprehension in bilinguals that support this distinction are described. A computer model of semantic processing of sentences and its application to intelligent tutoring systems for developing syntactic and semantic processing skills in a second language are discussed. The problem of developing proficiency in applying discourse level conceptual and semantic processing to texts in the second language is considered.

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