THE IMPORTANCE OF FEEDBACK AND REINFORCEMENT IN COMPUTER-ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING (CALL)

Abstract

A major focus of research in Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) has been the identification and implementation

of Feedback Strategies that facilitate student learning. Much of this research has been carried out on procedural

skills teaching systems in areas such as algebra, physics or computer programming. Nonetheless, very little

emphasis has been placed on studies and research on these types of strategies for language learning (Intelligent

Tutoring Systems for Foreign Language). This article is an attempt to clearly establish the importance and

necessity of feedback and reinforcement in Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). A brief description

will be given about CALL, and its significance for second and foreign language learning. The terms ‘feedback’

and ‘reinforcement’ will be explained, with a view to establishing their inevitability in language learning.

Subsequently, a discussion of these very terms will be discussed in the light of CALL, touching on some

experiments done in this regard and stressing their centrality in determining the effective use of the computer

to promote language learning. The suitability of Artificial Intelligence in language processing and second and

foreign language error correction will be established.