This project is a proof-of-concept. It aims to demonstrate the feasibility of an approach to Computer-Assisted Assessment of free-text material in the domain of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The underlying theory places the project within given pedagogic constraints, just as a Language Tutoring System should. The constraints call for the project to be addressed to the intermediate-advanced student of French-as-a-Second-Language, and be oriented toward the autonomous enhancement of text comprehension skills, following a previous project in CALL at the University of Ottawa, DidaLect. This type of learning activity requires a student to answer questions related to informative texts. The goal of this work has been to build a framework to assess the correctness of the student's sentence' s grammar on the one hand, and on the other hand to ensure that the answer's content matches the reference. In order to achieve this, the research has gone in two different directions. First, we used Natural-Language-Processing (NLP) to find means of language error detection and correction (form), as well as means for semantic comparison (content). Content comparison amounts to performing deep analysis of the student's answer in order to guarantee that no material in the student's answer is irrelevant to the actual answer. We used a symbolic approach to the problem, because statistical methods can only provide approximations of content similarity, which is dangerous in a CALL context because the student can be error-prone. The fact that this work is the first of its kind, at least in what concerns Text Comprehension and French-as-a-Second-Language, has been another reason to opt for symbolic processing: in the absence of any comparable system, a symbolic approach might constitute a better baseline, to be challenged in the future by statistical methods. Finally, error detection is syntax-based in language technologies. As well, a symbolic approach permits to use the same structure for the assessment of form and content. Second, we worked in the direction of didactics to frame the work within relevant theoretical grounds in terms of the relation from questions to text, especially in order to limit the impact of the knowledge gap between machine and humans (students) -- a general consequence of the work-in-progress state of semantic analysis in NLP. The questions are controlled through a formal categorization that restricts the scope of the questions to answering material actually present in the text -- no world-knowledge is a priori needed. The system has been tested on a set of 273 student's answers gathered in class. The evaluation gave a result of 62% of answers correctly assessed as correct or incorrect. Due to the conservativeness of the system, precision on the assessment of correct answers is 100%, which satisfies the requirements of Second-Language Learning and CALL. The implemented program is a contribution in itself because no comparable system exists, while there is a real demand from the world of CALL for such a tool. The project also makes a contribution to NLP through a new approach to paraphrase recognition. This uses previous work in computational linguistics (the Meaning-Text Theory) to provide a rule-based model of syntactic paraphrase which, although limited to syntax, actually constitutes the only generic model of paraphrase to our knowledge, and should be easily adapted to other languages.

<p> In this multiple case study design, high-performing Chinese language immersion students were investigated to better understand their profiles. This study focused on their attitudes, motivations, support systems, strategies for learning, and their social environment and how it related to them. I investigated three cases of high-performing Chinese language immersion students in a suburban school district in the Midwestern United States participating in a one-way Chinese (Mandarin) language immersion program. I utilized document analysis, solicited diaries, semi-structured participant interviews, parent interviews, Chinese immersion teacher pre-interview questionnaires, and Chinese immersion teacher interviews as data collection instruments. After analyzing the data, I wrote a case report for each of these cases and completed a cross-case synthesis to identify what was universal, variant, and divergent amongst the profiles of these high-performing individuals.</p>

<p> Studies on the retention of students from one semester to another semester or one year to another year in foreign language study are scant in higher education. Furthermore, these studies are limited to research at four-year colleges and universities. This mixed methods study of first and second semester foreign language students at three community colleges in New England seeks to discover the factors that influence students to continue or not to continue to a second semester of foreign language study upon completion of the first at the two-year schools. Variables such as student gender, age, and race/ethnicity are explored to determine if they influence student decisions to continue to a second semester of foreign language study. Other variables, including curriculum design, teaching materials, and instructional strategies used in first semester foreign language classes, are investigated to determine if they are factors in student decisions to continue to a second semester of foreign language study at the community college level.</p>

Under the premise that vocabulary learning in a Spanish as a second language in-class environment may be affected by the instructional approach adopted by the instructors or the materials followed, this study explores the influence of rather distant teaching styles, such as implicit and explicit approaches, on the learning outcome of Spanish lexicon. Research has shown successful results in studies undergoing both approaches (Ellis, 1994; Barcroft, 1994; Maura, 1995; Huckin and Coady, 1997; Schmitt, 2000; Paribakht and Wesche, 2000; Hiebert and Kamil, 2005). Despite the adopted instructional approach, vocabulary is finally assimilated by the learners to an extended degree. Nevertheless, explicit style shows better results in early stages of learning, whereas implicit style proves to be more effective in a more advanced stage of learning, since beginning students' lack of vocabulary limits their inferring ability (Zimmerman, 1997; Coady, 1997). The reason is that the explicit approach facilitates breadth knowledge of the material, in opposition to implicit approach, which facilitates a depth of knowledge (Paribakht & Wesche, 1996). As a result, we may have students with vocabulary breadth knowledge, who gloss a Spanish word in English, but are unable to apply or recognize the word in a context; as opposed to students with depth of knowledge, who may know the Spanish glosses of English words and their meaning variations depending on context On the other hand, Second Language Acquisition (SLA) has also proved to be influenced by factors out of the scope of instructional techniques. Each learner may approach differently to the foreign language learning process and affect his/her final results (Oxford, 1990; Skehan, 1991). Facts such as motivation, or individual strategies, will influence the mastery of vocabulary regardless of the instructional approach This study presents the vocabulary learning results of a long term implicit and explicit approach treatment applied to two different sections of an intermediate Spanish course. Lexicon learning results will be correlated with the individual factors of motivation and learning strategies to measure aspects that may be determinant in the acquisition of Spanish vocabulary in an in-class university-level setting / acase@tulane.edu

<p>With the Internet, foreign language learners can interact more easily with native speakers from other countries than in previous generations. For learners to develop the ability to function in foreign environments, it is vital to understand their experiences in postsecondary online foreign language classes. If educators and educational theorists are not cognizant of the possible effects caused by using or not using technological tools, severe limitations will happen to relevant, cognitive connections. Because of the current lack of understanding, learners are at a sociological, cultural, cognitive, and psychological disadvantage. The purpose of this qualitative study using a classic grounded theory method was to discover a theory that described patterns of behaviors by 15 adult learners who took at least one post-secondary, online foreign language class from schools in the United States. This study revealed the concerns that learners had regarding their experiences and how they dealt with those issues. When learners struggled, they became frustrated thereby causing an imbalance that prevented them from accomplishing their desired objectives. Offsetting the affective filter, the theory developed in this study, is about (a) comprehending the causes for and consequences of learners' frustration and their elevated affective filters and (b) discovering various elements that helped learners restore balance and acquire the necessary knowledge. By taking online foreign language classes, learners stepped outside their comfort zones thus setting into motion an imbalance that needed to be offset. Because offsetting the affective filter has important ramifications with respect to cognition, more research is necessary to develop tools to help learners reduce their anxiety in online classes. By expanding the field of study to other online and hybrid subject areas, researchers could develop of a broader, formal grounded theory. Such research might lead to the redesigning of online classes to be more andragogic and more transformative while addressing the cognitive and affective needs of the learners. A redesigning of a course might be advanced due to the need for (a) increased synchronous interaction between course members, (b) increased humor to lower learners' anxiety levels, and (c) learning styles to be addressed via all four learning modalities. </p>

<p> This quantitative method, quasi-experimental design study examined the possible effect of foreign language study in Tennessee middle schools on mathematics achievement. The population was 1,708 historical student test scores of a single cohort spanning 6^th through 8^th Grades from the same schools within a large urban public school district. NCLB demographics included race, gender, socio-economic status, and ELL status. The quasi-experimental design followed methods described by Shadish, Cook, &amp; Campbell, including independent control and treatment groups, pre-test/post-test, stratification, and matching. The instrument was the mathematics portion of the revised (2008-2009) Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) standardized tests. The TCAP was revised with increased critical thinking skills according to the Webb taxonomy and normalized to national standards. The study indicated that the foreign language treatment group performed significantly better than the control group, <i>t</i>_2&ndash;samp (&infin;) = 4.87, <i>a</i> &lt; .05, on their 8^th Grade TCAP mathematics test. The problem was that foreign language programs had been reduced or eliminated under NCLB-related academic and financial pressures. Political and educational leadership lacked evidence linking foreign language study to mathematics achievement in middle schools. This study was situated within an intuitionist mathematics philosophy, brain-based research, and social cognitive learning theory. Implications included an age-appropriate curriculum development model, curricular integration, support for foreign language study in middle schools, and the possible detrimental effects of cancelling foreign language programs.</p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe the opinions of experts and practitioners in the field of two-way immersion (TWI) programs on key factors and determine pedagogical strategies that support the successful transition of TWI students from elementary to middle and high school. This study used the normative Delphi technique, where the researcher synthesized the knowledge and experience of a panel of experts and practitioners in dual language programs to identify and describe key factors and determine pedagogical strategies that support the successful transition of TWI students from elementary to middle and high school. The Delphi process involved 3 rounds, and the researcher analyzed and summarized responses from each of the rounds. The expert panelists, consisting of 7 researchers/authors, 3 principals, and 6 teachers, all researching, working, or teaching in the field of dual language education for 5 years or more, identified many key factors and pedagogical and other strategies that support the successful transition of TWI students from elementary to middle and high school. Nonpedagogical factors seemed more important than pedagogical ones. Identified as most important were teacher qualification, curriculum and program planning, communication, and administrative support. The experts also came to a consensus that engaged teachers with high language proficiency are crucial for this transition. Recommendations related to pedagogical strategies were assigned to Vygotsky's sociocultural pedagogy and Jim Cummins's transformative pedagogy. The findings of this study may provide administrators, principals, and teachers as well as parents, community, and board members guidelines and suggestions when implementing, enhancing, or improving dual language programs for students. Additionally, the insights from experts and practitioners on key factors and strategies for dual language programs allow for the development of training programs for current administrators, principals, teachers, and other staff involved with dual language programs. </p>

<p> Nearly 25,000 graduating high school students across California have earned state recognition for achieving proficiency in multiple languages in 2014. This exploratory, mixed-methods study investigated the early implementation of the State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) in California. Sixty-two district personnel were surveyed, three SSB directors were interviewed, and a document review was conducted. Overall, the study revealed four themes that influence the implementation of the SSB at the district level: Intentional Creation of an Ecology of Biliteracy, Developing Notions for Biliteracy Scripts and Assessment, Privileging Sequential Biliteracy Development&mdash;Scarcity of Biliteracy Pathways, and Individual and Collective Agency for Biliteracy. Hornberger's (2003) continua of biliteracy was used as a theoretical framework to analyze this study's findings.</p>

<p> In the current global business environment many endeavors are undertaken as projects. Translation, localization and other language services are no exception and must be viewed and studied as services performed in a projectized environment. If they are not, there will continue to be gaps between the way translation is taught and researched (as an isolated activity) and how it is performed in the business world (as part of projects). The existence of these gaps not only prevents translation practitioners from recognizing and communicating the value of the service that they provide, but also diminishes the value of the training that future translators receive. Lack of understanding of the context in which translation is performed limits the opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between translation studies and other disciplines in the academic environment, and between organizations and divisions within a given organization in the business environment. </p><p> This study proposes to contribute to the research on translation in project contexts by examining risk management, which is an important area of focus for organizations and professionals in many sectors, but which is largely ignored in the language industry. </p><p> This study first provides an overview of the language industry, explores key concepts, such as risk, uncertainty, project management, risk management and maturity model, and explains the role and relevance of risk management in the language industry. It then reviews existing risk management frameworks developed by project management and risk management practitioners, including the framework developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Next, a model of risk sources developed specifically for application in translation and localization projects is presented and discussed. The theoretical discussion is followed by a case study in which PMI's project risk management framework is implemented and the proposed model of risk sources is applied in a real-world translation company. The description of the case study methodology is followed by observations of how the study was carried out and by a presentation and analysis of the results of the case study. The dissertation concludes by offering recommendations based on the findings of the case study and by examining possible future avenues of research.</p>

Abstract not available.