Considers why technology has not lived up to it expectations in bringing about improvements in language learning. Looks at a Website that offers a considerable volume of ICT training materials for language teachers, the ICT4LT website (http://www.ict4lt.org). Examines the aims behind the site as a whole and the pattern of visits to different…

Discusses two easy-to-use authoring systems--"Potatoes" and "MALTED"--for designing Web-based language instruction. Provides a check list of advice for would-be authors of language learning programs. (Author/VWL)

Reviews the nature of Web-based course management systems (WCMSs), which are designed to help teachers create learning environments in which students have the necessary means to interact effectively with their peers, their instructors, and the course material. Focuses on their advantages, disadvantages, and potential for language learning by…

Discusses the role of language laboratories in retrospective, paying attention to the technology diffusion process that accounted for their initial success, and contributing arguments for a revision of their historical evolution into a new tool for learning and teaching foreign languages. Includes a survey of existing language laboratory…

Provides an overview of Learning Management System (LMS) software, which is necessary for the creation of a Virtual Centre for Foreign Language Learning. Also describes a new discipline called Web Assisted Language Learning (WALL), which can be broken down into three areas: the Web as a source of resources; the Web as a window of multimedia…

Suggests that distributed learning environments and content often lack a common basis for the exchange of learning materials, which can hinder or even delay innovation and delivery of learning technology. Standards for platforms and authoring may provide a way to improve interoperability and cooperative development. Provides an XML-based approach…

Discusses a number of principles to bear in mind when designing and implementing multimedia language learning materials. A general overview is provided on the template approach to designing and creating a multimedia computer assisted language learning package. Examples are given from experience in multimedia development for language learning…

Presents one of the world's first prototypes of language learning software for smart-phones. Tele-EnREDando.com is an Internet based multimedia application designed for 3G mobile phones with audio, video, and interactive exercises for learning Spanish for business. (Author/VWL)

Defines the relationship that is intended between classroom-based and laboratory based activities, private study and language class, individual and collective effort, and computer-centered and teacher-led learning. Suggests that the aid the computer can provide can be effectively brought into the classroom as an integral part of the teacher's own…

Discusses the impact of technologies on genre variation, especially in relation to authentic material as teaching support. An example of changes brought about by information technologies on a classroom project is given. (Author/VWL)

Contributes to the understanding of several well-known problems relating to the learning of phonemic contrasts in second language phonology. Describes a series of ongoing studies examining what Lado (1957) hypothesized to represent maximum difficulty in second language pronunciation, namely a phonemic split. (Author/VWL)

Studies the possible influence of Spanish on native speakers of that language during their assessment of marked iconicity in English. Looks at discrimination by Spanish learners of English of information focus as signaled by placement of nuclear tones in sentence initial and medial positions. (Author/VWL)

Suggests that second language research could provide answers to questions concerning the structure of first language grammars that cannot be answered by only examining first language data and intuitions. Examines homophony in phonology and morphology. (Author/VWL)

Gives a summary of the theoretical approaches to the role of phonetics and phonology in language learning and teaching as developed by the Finnish-English cross-language project at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. Analysis was extended over the chains of connected speech to deal with all the phenomena that give rhythm in speech. (Author/VWL)