Mapping successful language learning approaches in the adaptation of generic software

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of a generic piece of software, the Copernic Summarizer (www.copernic.com) as a language learning tool and considers two discrete pedagogical approaches used as part of its integration within the context of teaching and learning a foreign language. Firstly, this paper will present a brief overview on the emerging field of automated summary writing and its importance and relevance for language learners today. A description of our empirical study is then presented which concentrates on the integration of this tool within a third level classroom environment. Basically, this particular classroom context involved the use of two separate control groups; each one was introduced to and employed the Copernic Summarizer (CS) at different stages during the CALL integration process. In order to examine the students' application of this tool to their L2 learning, we examine the data from both learner-produced summaries and written commentaries in order to assess whether or not this software has been successfully established as part of the students' long-term integration strategies. As such, we will provide examples of the L2 benefits experienced in the summary writing task in order to consider how learners mapped these particular issues onto their adaptation of the tool.

Notes

1. Translated as: “More Irish than ever before”—pun on ‘riamh’ meaning ‘before’ and ‘ríomh’ referring to ‘computer’ in reference to the technological theme of the text.

2. Translated as: “A dictionary on your phone”: this represents the main theme of the text and maintains the technological focus of the original source text. There is also a grammatical error with the omission of the seibhiú on ‘guthán’ to express possession in the second person singular.

3. Web references: Copernic Summarizer, retrieved March 4, 2006, from www.copernic.com; Pertinence Summarizer, retrieved March 4, 2006, from www.pertience.net; language and technology course outline, retrieved March 4, 2006, from http://www.ul.ie/∼appliedlanguages/LI4113_Course_Outline.htm; texts for students to summarise, retrieved March 4, 2006, from http://www.ul.ie/∼appliedlanguages/sumtexts.htm∼appliedlanguages/sumtexts.htm.