Development of Interactive Exercises for the World Wide Web

With the rise in the familiarity of and access to the World Wide Web, an exciting and powerful new environment that can provide materials to users regardless of location has been added to the spectrum of computer-assisted language learning tools. Although computer-assisted language learning has been the focus of much research over the recent past, implementing the range of desirable, interactive language-learning functions in a Web environment - especially advanced multimedia capabilities and interactive learning features - has not been widely explored. In addition, technical challenges such as incorporating a right-to-left script (e.g., Arabic) into a left-to- right environment have not yet been adequately solved for Web development. New Web development tools and new technologies for media delivery are being introduced at a rapid pace, but the full extent of their application has still not been fully identified, especially as it relates to the language learning environment. This project will research the technical issues of implementing effective Web-based language exercises for Modem Standard Arabic (MSA), and will lead in Phase II to the development of a marketable suite of language maintenance exercises for MSA.