Describes an attempt to build a computer-assisted language instruction program which can trap and comment on grammatical errors such as subject/verb agreement by a purely syntactic analysis, that is, without recourse to word meanings. The program aims to increase educational effectiveness and to reduce the number of separate stored answers.…

SPANLAP (SPANish LAnguage Processing) is a computer program which attempts to engage students of Spanish in a free-form written dialog by allowing them to ask questions. The morphological and syntactic parsing process used in SPANLAP is explained. Sample dialog illustrates limitations of the current model. (Author/LMO)

This discussion of courseware design for computer-assisted language learning in English as a second language (ESL) highlights the role of randomization and creativity. A set of programs is described which are based on error analysis of students in the ESL program at Baruch College and developed around grammatical terms. (Author/LRW)

Examines the use of computers for error detection in natural language texts. Focuses on a computer program designed to teach students to edit their papers for errors using pattern matching in error detection. Describes a "pedagogy for editing" and speculates on ways to improve computer detection of errors in natural language texts. (AEM)

Describes the development in progress of a syntactic parser of German called "Syncheck," which uses the programing language "Prolog." The grammar is written in a formalism called "Definate Clause Grammar." The purpose of "Syncheck" is to provide advice on grammatical correctness to intermediate and advanced…

A database used in an analysis of writing errors of Swedish university students is discussed, including the major grammatical and vocabulary errors discovered. This study is compared with others, including a study of the writing errors of students from a variety of first-language backgrounds. Applications and directions for future research are…