Augmenting the web for second language vocabulary learning

The busyness of everyday life means that those with casual interest in additional learning opportunities are often unable to schedule regular time and effort for studying. In this paper, we explore how to augment information technologies that people use on a daily basis to create micro-learning opportunities. In particular, we examine how a person's existing Web browsing experience-with first language Web pages-can be augmented to teach them second language vocabulary. We present a prototype, ALOE, which runs inside the Firefox Web browser and dynamically augments Web pages by replacing a selected set of English words with their foreign translations. The foreign translations are embedded in the rich context of a Web page's existing English text to promote incidental learning and guessing from context of the translated words. Through a two month user evaluation of ALOE, we found that most participants were able to learn an average of 50 new French vocabulary words.

[1]  Ching-Ying Pan,et al.  The development and evaluation of a web-based college English outside reading system for EFL freshmen , 2009 .

[2]  William H. Fletcher.  Concordancing the web: promise and problems, tools and techniques , 2007 .

[3]  Hiroaki Ogata,et al.  Context-aware support for computer-supported ubiquitous learning , 2004, The 2nd IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education, 2004. Proceedings..

[4]  Judith Knapp,et al.  Browsers for autonomous and contextualized language learning: tools and theories , 2005, ITRE 2005. 3rd International Conference on Information Technology: Research and Education, 2005..

[5]  Shesen Guo,et al.  Building a customised Google-based collocation collector to enhance language learning , 2007, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[6]  David J. Ostry,et al.  Time course of loss of information regarding pattern analyzing operations , 1974 .

[7]  R. Sternberg.  Most vocabulary is learned from context. , 1987 .

[8]  Chun Li,et al.  SMS-based vocabulary learning for ESL students , 2009 .

[9]  Hiroaki Ogata,et al.  Supporting Mobile Language Learning outside Classrooms , 2006, Sixth IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT'06).

[10]  R. K. Johnson,et al.  Vocabulary Learning Strategies and Language Learning Outcomes , 1996 .

[11]  Robert Godwin-Jones,et al.  Computer Assisted Language Learning: Critical Concepts in Linguistics , 2010 .

[12]  J. Hulstijn.  Retention of Inferred and Given Word Meanings: Experiments in Incidental Vocabulary Learning , 1992 .

[13]  Antonella Sorace,et al.  Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition and Learning Strategies in ICALL Environments , 2002 .

[14]  J. Hulstijn,et al.  Incidental Vocabulary Learning by Advanced Foreign Language Students: The Influence of Marginal Glosses, Dictionary Use, and Reoccurrence of Unknown Words , 1996 .

[15]  Daniel Berleant,et al.  A foreign vocabulary learning aid for the networked world of tomorrow: the LEARN project , 1994, SICE.

[16]  Isabelle De Ridder,et al.  Visible or Invisible Links: Does the Highlighting of Hyperlinks Affect Incidental Vocabulary Learning, Text Comprehension, and the Reading Process? , 2002 .

[17]  Lyn Pemberton,et al.  Development of a cross-platform ubiquitous language learning service via mobile phone and interactive television , 2007, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[18]  Patricia Thornton,et al.  Using mobile phones in English education in Japan , 2005, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[19]  Margaret E. Morris,et al.  Context-Sensitive Microlearning of Foreign Language Vocabulary on a Mobile Device , 2007, AmI.

[20]  Dogan Ibrahim,et al.  m-Learning: An experiment in using SMS to support learning new English language words , 2009, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[21]  Gregory L. Friedman.  Learner-created lexical databases using web-based source material , 2008 .

[22]  Philip Hubbard.  Computer Assisted Language Learning: Critical Concepts in Linguistics , 2009 .

[23]  Noriko Nagata,et al.  THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED INTERACTIVE GLOSSES , 1999 .

[24]  Chih-Ming Chen,et al.  Personalized Intelligent M-learning System for Supporting Effective English Learning , 2006, 2006 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics.

[25]  Yoshihiro Hirata,et al.  Independent research project with web-derived corpora for language learning , 2007 .

[26]  Inigo Yanguas,et al.  Multimedia Glosses and Their Effect on L2 Text Comprehension and Vocabulary Learning , 2009 .

[27]  Chin-Hwa Kuo,et al.  Automating repeated exposure to target vocabulary for second language learners , 2001, Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies.

[28]  Elke Peters,et al.  MANIPULATING L2 LEARNERS' ONLINE DICTIONARY USE AND ITS EFFECT ON L2 WORD RETENTION , 2007 .

[29]  Tsung-Yu Liu,et al.  A context-aware ubiquitous learning environment for language listening and speaking , 2009, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[30]  Phillip Rowles.  Teaching and Learning Vocabulary , 2003 .

[31]  Susanne Rott.  THE EFFECT OF EXPOSURE FREQUENCY ON INTERMEDIATE LANGUAGE LEARNERS' INCIDENTAL VOCABULARY ACQUISITION AND RETENTION THROUGH READING , 1999, Studies in Second Language Acquisition.

[32]  Mike Levy,et al.  Call Dimensions: Options and Issues in Computer Assisted Language Learning (ESL & Applied Linguistics Professional Series) , 2006 .

[33]  Dorothy M. Chun,et al.  Effects of Multimedia Annotations on Vocabulary Acquisition , 1996 .

[34]  Mitchel Resnick,et al.  “Thick” authenticity: new media and authentic learning , 1999 .