Putting Learners First: An Integrated Multimedia Environment for Language Learning

One of the greatest obstacles to Taiwan’s English learners is the lack of an environment rich in authentic English input used for real communication. A system entitled IWiLL (Intelligent Web-based Interactive Language Learning) has been designed to provide such an environment. The IWiLL online environment consists of an array of integrated components which support the needs of language learners and teachers. The multimedia system offers broad exposure to authentic English in text and video formats over the Internet. More importantly, the system tools allow teachers and learners to extract from massive amounts of English input precisely the examples they would like to focus on, adjusted to the level of the learner. The system also allows the integration of English skills such that VOD feeds discussion; discussion feeds reading; reading in turn leads to writing, and so on, in a contextualized learning cycle. While learners can navigate easily from one of these environments to the other according to their needs, these various environments share a common toolbar that provides access to pinpoint or “micro” language help on demand in any environment. For example, learners can look up a vocabulary item in an online dictionary at any time by clicking on a toolbar while watching a video, while reading an essay, or while composing an essay for the teacher or an article for the discussion board. In addition, however, they can under these same circumstances retrieve up to fifty examples of the vocabulary item from an online English corpus to see that word in a wide range of contexts. The result is a system which encourages learners to learn by doing, not just to passively memorize rules and vocabulary. Learners can use English for communication in an online environment that offers feedback and plentiful authentic input adjusted to their needs and their level.