Course Description:

This course studies the design and implementation of CALL systems that use Language Technologies such as Speech Synthesis and Recognition, Machine Translation, and Information Retrieval.

After a short history of CALL/LT, students will learn where language technologies (LT) can be used to aid in language learning. From there, the course will explore the specifics of designing software that must interface with a language technology, For each LT, we will explore:
• what information does the LT require,
• what type of output does the LT send to the CALL interface,
• what are the limits of the LT that the CALL designer must deal with,
• what are the real time constraints,
• what type of training does the LT require

The goal of the course is to familiarize the student with :
• existing systems that use LT
• assessment of CALL/LT software
• the limitations imposed by the LT
• designing CALL/LT software

Grading criteria:
• several short quizzes
• term project: production of a small CALL/LT system, verbal presentation and written documentation of design of the software